Spoilers ahead for the season finale of Paris Is Always a Good Idea, which is available to stream on Hallmark+.

Lacey Chabert’s latest project for the Hallmark calendar, Paris Is Always a Good Idea, concluded this week, with her character Chelsea getting her happy ending after Knightly proved to be the one for her, rather than one of her three ex-boyfriends. While their story was wrapped with a nice little bow, the ending wasn’t quite as clear for Chelsea’s sister Annabelle. When Rebecca Hanssen and Henry Czerny spoke with CinemaBlend about the six-episode series, I had to ask about the possibility of a second season.

Rebecca Hanssen played Annabelle in the Hallmark+ series, with Henry Czerny portraying Chelsea and Annabelle’s father Glenn. When I asked about the possibility of a Paris Is Always a Good Idea Season 2 that focused more on Annabelle’s love story, Czerny was quick to jump in, saying:

Rebecca Hanssen seemed a little more cautious about getting her hopes up for more globe-trotting fun, as she told me:

The main storyline may have been wrapped up, but not necessarily for Annabelle. Lacey Chabert’s TV sister spent the duration of Paris Is Always a Good Idea torturing herself by watching her ex-boyfriend Rhyland play soccer for Real Madrid. Chelsea convinces Annabelle to reach out while they’re in Spain for their father’s wedding.

However, as Annabelle is waiting for a response, sparks start to fly between her and Marcos, Chelsea’s Spanish billionaire ex-boyfriend. Chelsea encourages the love connection, and when Annabelle leaves her phone on a table to dance with Marcos at the wedding reception, we see Rhyland finally calling her back but getting no answer.

I can definitely see Paris Is Always a Good Idea following in the footsteps of series like Bridgerton or Off Campus — or even Hallmark movie series like Lacey Chabert’s The Wedding Veil — to shift its focus to a different couple for a second season, and if that were to happen, would Henry Czerny be on board to return as Glenn? He answered enthusiastically:

Rebecca Hanssen laughed at Henry Czerny listing the beautiful locations, saying those are all of her bucket list destinations, and he made sure to point out that he would definitely need to travel with her in order to do the best job possible:

I don’t blame him for wanting to be able to travel to more amazing places like France, Spain and Ireland.

Paris Is Always a Good Idea is a book-to-screen adaptation of Jenn McKinlay’s novel, all of which was covered in this Hallmark+ limited series. However, Annabelle didn’t have this big of a role in the book. The sister’s role was expanded for the series, and while no book sequel exists, I don’t see a reason why Hallmark couldn’t continue to expand the character’s story.

Who wouldn’t want to see Annabelle having to choose between a billionaire and a Real Madrid soccer player? That’s about as tough as watching Chelsea choose between her four gorgeous, successful men!

Only time will tell if we’ll get Paris Is Always a Good Idea Season 2, but at least Henry Czerny has made his feelings on the matter very clear. All six episodes can be streamed now on Hallmark+.

Both Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner have branched out of the reality TV space to dip their toes in the world of scripted entertainment recently. While Kim is starring in the deliciously terrible All’s Fair on Hulu, Kylie made her acting debut in Charli XCX’s The Moment when it hit the 2026 movie calendar in January. It turns out Kim was “iffy” on this opportunity for her little sister, but they both opened up about the advice she doled out.

Kylie Jenner has a small but pivotal role in Charli XCX’s mockumentary (which surprised me with its humor when I watched it with my HBO Max subscription), and even though she’s spent most of her life in front of the camera, she was still nervous to join the project. Kylie opened up to CinemaBlend’s sister site Who What Wear about going to her older sister for advice:

It didn’t take much to turn Kim Kardashian’s apprehension into full-blown support, though, as Kylie Jenner continued:

It wasn’t that Kim Kardashian doubted Kylie Jenner’s acting abilities, but it sounds like she questioned whether her little sister would want to put herself out there like that. She wanted Kylie to be prepared for all the experience might entail. Kim told Who What Wear:

It worked out pretty well, and Kylie Jenner’s appearance was praised by a lot of critics. The makeup mogul-turned-clothing designer said they shot the scene “maybe 10 or 12 times,” and she even started improvising and leaning into the things she did that made the crew laugh.

Does Kylie Jenner plan to follow The Moment with more acting roles? That sounds like a definite possibility, as a few scripts have come her way. She hasn’t accepted anything so far, but she did admit to reading a pilot that piqued her interest.

Only time will tell if she will truly follow in her big sister’s footsteps and give acting a real try. For now, though, we know we’re getting Kim, Kylie and the rest of the Kardashian-Jenner family back for The Kardashians Season 8, which will premiere in October for those with a Hulu subscription.

WARNING: THERE IS DISCUSSION OF SUICIDE AND DOMESTIC ABUSE IN THIS ARTICLE

Death Of The Pastor's Wife, which you can watch right now with a Netflix subscription, hit me a lot differently than most of the true crime series that I watch. One fair critique of all the true crime documentaries and podcasts is that they kind of serve to desensitize us to the actual crime sometimes. We get so wrapped up in the whodunnit, we sometimes lose focus on the tragedy. This new docuseries doesn’t really have a mystery at its core, at least not the way I see it, but the consequences of the death hit me hard.

A Controlling Husband And Mental Illness

Death Of The Pastor's Wife focuses on the death of Mica Miller, the wife of Pastor John Paul “TJ” Miller. Mica died by suicide on April 27, 2024. She called police from Lumber River State Park in North Carolina before hanging up the phone and, using a firearm she’d purchased hours before and taking her own life. The series starts with the phone call and before taking us back in time to walk viewers through Mica’s life and eventual marriage to TJ. TJ was 15 years older than Mica and had known her since she was a teenager in his church.

The two were married for seven years, and, as presented in the true crime docuseries, it was not a happy marriage. According to Mica, TJ was abusive both sexually and physically. The series also explains that Mica was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was prescribed lithium to help her. This was exacerbated by TJ’s controlling behavior, even if at times he did seem to try to help. What really went on behind the closed doors of their marriage is still a bit of a mystery because they were both careful to present themselves in a very positive way, both publicly and with their friends. However, many friends and family saw through that.

Murder Or Suicide

The series presents the death of Mica as either murder or suicide. This is where it differed for me. I didn’t see it as a mystery, as many true crime documentaries on the 2026 TV schedule and podcasts are. I believe that Mica died by suicide, and that is particularly hard for me to process. Anytime someone dies this way, and I’ve had two close friends who have died this way, it leaves me baffled and shattered. Whatever the reason.

In this case, though, the reasons are especially heartbreaking because while I don’t think TJ murdered his wife, I do firmly believe that many of his actions led Mica to that lonely riverside in Lumber River State Park. Or at least, they didn’t prevent her from buying the handgun, making that long drive, and taking her own life. I’m not a psychiatrist, and I don’t know what is in TJ's heart and mind, but the series paints a very ugly picture of his behavior before and after Mica’s death.

While there was no mystery to this true crime story, the series still crushed me. As I said, I have a hard time reconciling anyone's suicide, and like many of Mica's friends and family, it's something I will probably never come to terms with, whether it's someone like Mica or someone in my life. It's hard.

If you need help, or know someone who does, please call or text “988” for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

It’s official: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are back in the UK! The Duke of Sussex arrived this week with his wife and two children for an “extended period” after calling Montecito, California their home and stepping away from their royal duties for the past six years. And someone found out how much it allegedly cost the family to travel via private jet on the over 5,000-mile journey.

How Much Harry & Meghan Reportedly Spent On A Private Jet To The UK

Harry and Meghan took off on a private jet with seven-year-old Prince Archie, five-year-old Princess Lilibet and their two dogs, a black Lab named Pula and a beagle named Mia. They opted for a global private aviation company called Planet 9, per a Page Six report. The private jet charges $12,000 per hour, and it’s a 10-hour flight, so it’s estimated the flight cost them around $120,000.

The luxurious jet reportedly seats just 13 passengers and includes five beds, two bathrooms and enough storage for 12 to 15 medium suitcases. Since the family is planning on staying in the UK for a while, they very well might have packed the whole plane up. Unfortunately, the family’s chickens have to stay in Montecito, where they will continue to be taken care of. Prince Harry and his family have not disclosed where they are going to establish a new home base to keep their privacy, but it will not be on royal grounds.

Why The Couple Are Moving Back To The UK For Awhile

The Duke and Duchess’s move back to the U.K. was revealed just last week. While some reports thought the decision was made due to their struggling business ventures, it’s been suggested that it was made in light of King Charles III’s ongoing battle with cancer. The king is reportedly looking forward to spending a lot more time with his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren following the move.

Archie and Lilibet are already enrolled in school in England this September, and Harry and Meghan will remain private citizens rather than working royals. The Duke and Duchess continue to work closely with Netflix, despite their original deal with the streaming service falling through last summer. As of late, the couple has been dealt a few blows with their business ventures, such as their feature film Cookie Queens flopping at the box office and Netflix cutting ties with Meghan’s jam brand.

Through their production banner Archewell, they are currently helping adapt Carley Fortune’s book Meet Me At The Lake, a war film called No Way Out, and a scripted drama series focused on the sport of polo. There have also been rumors out there that Markle may return to acting, particularly with a role in The Gentleman Season 3. Season 2 premieres next week, September 3, for those with a Netflix subscription. We’ll keep you updated as Harry and Meghan’s new chapter begins.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve watched Coming to America many, many times. In fact, I’m psyched that starting on September 1, I’ll be able to watch it over and over with my Peacock subscription. In fact, I plan to, because I just learned how petty one of the most iconic scenes in the movie is, and I need to watch it again. The scene is when Darryl (Eriq La Salle) tosses a milkshake at Akeem (Eddie Murphy), and director John Landis had a little trolling up his sleeve.

La Salle Didn’t Throw The Milkshake

In the movie, Darryl is pretty much the villain, and nothing shows his disdain for Akeem and Semmi (Arsenio Hall) more than when he’s leaving McDowell’s as our two heroes take out the trash. Darryl throws his mostly unfinished strawberry milkshake at Akeem, covering him in ice cream. Landis was determined to make the mess himself. La Salle told a crowd at UCLA’s Hammer Museum (via his TikTok):

It wasn’t what La Salle had in mind, as he explained:

Famously, there was tension between the star of the movie and the director, as both have spoken about it since. Their conflicts went back further, as Coming to America was not the first time Landis and Murphy had teamed up. Landis directed Murphy in the former SNL star’s second movie, Trading Places. Murphy’s star was rising on the heels of SNL and 48 Hrs., but he wasn’t the global superstar he would become, in large part due to Trading Places.

Landis, on the other hand, was already a very in-demand director when he directed Trading Places, with hits like Animal House, The Blues Brothers, and An American Werewolf in London under his belt. By the time of Coming to America, as La Salle points out, the power dynamic had shifted. Murphy was one of the biggest stars of the ‘80s, and that led, apparently, to even more clashes on set of Coming to America.

It sounds like Landis really needed to release some of that tension by covering Murphy in pink goo, and I suppose it worked, as the two would reunite again for the oft-maligned Beverly Hills Cop III (definitely NOT one of Eddie Murphy’s best movies). That would be the last time the two worked together, however, and they have, at times, fired shots back and forth at each other.

After Taylor Swift released “I Knew It, I Knew You” for Toy Story 5, I’ve been hoping that she’ll make more country music. However, now that hope has turned into a theory, one that many other Swifties also have, as new comments from the pop star have us believing that her next album (which is her 13th album, by the way) could see her return to her country roots.

It’s worth noting that we’re coming up on the 20th anniversary of Taylor Swift’s debut album, and fans are constantly theorizing about when we might get Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version). Along with that, during The Icon Sessions at the Grammy Museum, the singer was asked to compare the version of herself who wrote “Tim McGraw” and the artist she is today. After chatting a bit about that specific song, she went on to reflect on her country origins as a whole, saying:

Like many things Swift said during this conversation, which included comments about mocking the mockers back, this statement about country music went viral. Swifties immediately started to speculate about how this comment about honoring her country roots could foreshadow what’s coming next.

And that next thing, according to many Swifties, could be TS13. In the replies on @TSwiftNZ’s post about the singer’s heartfelt words on country music, many fans made their theories for a country version of TS13 known, writing things like:

• TS13 i feel you in the air -@404paigenotfnd
• She is coming home I feel it in my bones TS13 the masterpiece -@ardentlylovetay
• TS13 is soooo going to be country we’re so back baby TayCountry is coming for y’all -@SlayDontGo

Meanwhile, plenty of other fans created their own posts about Swift’s “love” for her “country roots,” and wrote things like this alongside either the full quote or a clip of it:

• 👀🤠-@chartstswifty
• TS13 YOU ARE COUNTRY!!!!! 🤠 -@taylorswiftbr
• this ts13 tease -@AntaraC
• IMO: TS13 Country Album🎸. ✔️Taylor always ✍🏻writing music /maybe a collab with various country artist 🤷🏻‍♀️⏰.. will tell ..✔️🐣#TaylorSwift going back to her roots & it all started with Toy Story 5 “IKIIKY” 🤠🤠🐣 -@Sara73121982
• if you’re in line for country ts13 STAY IN LINE -@taydesire

I have to say, I think this theory is legit. Between Swift’s last new song being a country song for Toy Story 5, Debut hitting its 20th anniversary and the fact that we’re coming up on her 13th album, bringing everything full-circle and back to country feels very fitting.

Swift hasn’t released an album full of country music since Red in 2012. While folklore and evermore were very folky, they were not like the country music from her early career. A return to that original form is something fans clearly want, and it’s obvious that the singer herself has been thinking a lot about her origins and how that’s impacted her career. Plus, with her owning all her music now, being open about re-releasing her first album and this year being a huge anniversary for her, country feels right right now.

So, it’d be fitting and symbolic for her 13th album to be a country album, and her latest quote certainly plays into that idea in a big way.

If you’re watching Reacher with an Amazon Prime subscription, you can see Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher fighting bad guys and running into trouble on a weekly basis. Meanwhile, while Season 4 is airing on the 2026 TV schedule, Season 5 is being filmed. We’re actually getting to see a lot from that production too, thanks to Ritchson’s BTS content, which recently included a video of him smashing a cake in a crew member’s face.

As I mentioned, as Reacher Season 4 started dropping its episodes, Ritchson and co. went into production on Season 5. So, as twists about Lila are being revealed on-screen, the lead actor is filming what we’ll see next. However, it’s not all serious business on set; they celebrate birthdays too. And in this one case, they celebrated with a cake smash to the face. Take a look:

As you can see in the video, Ritchson explained that a PA named Brett requested a cake smash from the Reacher lead, it was not the actor’s idea. In fact, the PA actually made this request at 4:52 a.m. – which makes it funnier for some reason – with a text that read:

Ritchson then grabbed the cake, which featured lovely light blue cursive text, sang “Happy Birthday” and proceeded to smash the cake in Brett’s face. Honestly, it looks like the PA’s life was made by this too; his reaction was so wholesome. Talk about a way to celebrate your 38th birthday.

The other detail I’d like to point out is the T-shirt Ritchson is wearing. It says “I’m a big deal in New Mexico,” and I feel like it has to be a Reacher costume. Maybe he destroyed his normal shirt, and the only new one he could find was this. Anyway, that detail also got me laughing, and it made the cake smash even better.

Along with this being a fun stand-alone BTS moment from the set of Reacher, it also fits in nicely with the other posts Ritchson has uploaded. From his humourously honest take on filming in the snow during the summer to greeting fans who were waiting by the set to doing curls with his set chairs, it’s clear they’re having a great time filming Season 5.

Now, I’m very excited to see what they’re working on. However, first, we have to get through Season 4. That’s right, we’re only a few episodes into it, and you can catch new ones every Wednesday on Prime Video. Then, hopefully not long after that, we’ll get to see Reacher Season 5 and what they’ve been filming between these hilarious behind-the-scenes moments.

Warning! The following contains spoilers for the Stuart Fails To Save The Universe episode "Spoiler: Corn Is Delicious." Stream the episode with an HBO Max subscription and read at your own risk!

Stuart Fails To Save The Universe continues to impress me, especially with its latest example of how it subverted the expectations of the usual high-stakes adventure. After a version of him was killed off in the premiere, Raj returned to tell Stuart Bloom just how much time he has to save humanity, and the answer is quite a lot by human standards.

Raj stood on a street corner in the latest episode, which showed Denise and Stuart enjoying life in a universe in which humans had four stomachs like cows. Stuart was briefly perturbed when the scientist explained to him that the multiverse is in jeopardy, and that universes on the furthest reaches of the galaxy were rapidly disappearing. That worried both characters, until Raj clarified they had centuries left before humanity was erased.

Stuart and Denise began to laugh, and the tension broke instantly. Sure, the universe was coming to an end, but it wasn't happening until long after both of them were dead. Raj was appalled by their reaction, but I couldn't quit laughing.

The stakes are high in Stuart Fails To Save The Universe, but unlike some of the best action movies, this is not a race against the clock. Stuart could spend the rest of his life failing to save the universe and pass the responsibility onto his future generations, who can carry on his mission. I was expecting a much more urgent answer when Raj dropped that bomb, and now all I can do is laugh.

I love the answer, not just because it plays on the relative urgency of thrillers, but because it means that Stuart Fails To Save The Universe never has to get all too serious. With centuries before all of existence is destroyed, there's plenty of time to play around in these fun worlds and figure out why some of them look shockingly similar to The Matrix.

Stuart tried to end his mission entirely, but the Stuart from The Big Bang Theory's continuity showed up and told him he's not allowed to do that. He also gave him a replacement quantum device, which would merge with the one Kripke and Bert left with and were falling endlessly through time with. It didn't make sense, which makes me wonder what the larger story is behind all of this.

So far, Stuart Fails To Save The Universe continues to live up to the hype of being so much better than The Big Bang Theory. The comedy and unexpected violence and swearing brought me in, but now I'm invested in figuring out the deeper mystery of what's going on. Is there someone pulling the strings, and why is there so many unexplained mysteries going on?

Hopefully, we'll get more of those answers before Season 1 ends. We already know Season 2 is on the way, and I can't wait to see what other reveals and cameos are in store.

I do believe there’s a good reason to feel anxious for just about every character on The Pitt. However, there are a few that live at the top of the list and receive the majority of my concern, like Langdon and Robby. Now, another character has found his way into this top tier of worry, and I need to talk about why.

The character in question is Gerran Howell’s Dennis Whitaker. That’s because, when Season 2 of The Pitt concluded on the 2026 TV schedule, I was feeling pretty good about where he was at, he was confident at work and he seemed genuinely happy. However, a new interview with the actor and a couple of seconds in Season 3’s trailer seem to imply he’s not in that state of mind anymore, which is concerning.

One Conversation In The Pitt’s Season 3 Trailer That Makes Me Worry For Whitaker

So, in the first footage we got of The Pitt’s third season, right after Abbot makes a comment about Robby’s return that has me convinced we’ll see more Nightcrawlers in the new episodes, we see Santos and Whitaker clocking in. They have the following conversation:

• Santos: Try not to kill anyone today.
• Whitaker: Yeah, you too.

Now, Whitaker does not strike me as the kind of guy who would resort to thinking these kinds of thoughts or turning to blunt confrontation during a hard day at work. He’s the wholesome farm boy. However, maybe some of Santos’ aggression has rubbed off on him since they started living together.

Overall, it just seems like Howell’s character is starting his day off in a bad mood, and that can’t bode well for him. Now, why is he in a bad mood that’s worth worrying about? A new interview helped me develop a theory that might answer that question.

Gerran Howell Made A Comment That Makes Me Think Whitaker Will Be So Sad In Season 3

Let’s remember where Whitaker’s story ended in Season 2: he got in a truck and drove off with Amy Miller, a former patient he was helping out. There were very romantic undertones there, and Robby was clearly worried about this situation.

I think that’s relevant to note, because that clip played as Howell explained what music would be on Whitaker’s Season 3 playlist. Here’s what the actor who is nominated for a 2026 Emmy told The Pitt’s Instagram:

The song in question deals with Bridgers’ “struggles with agnosticism and her lack of faith,” according to Genius. The lyrics also imply that she’s feeling lonely, as she sings lines like: “Because I think when you’re gone, it’s forever / But you know I’d stand on the corner / Embarrassed with a picket sign / If it meant I would see you when I die.” Those lyrics certainly give “sad yearning” to me.

And it makes me think that Whitaker’s feeling lonely and lost this season and potentially looking for some new purpose. In Season 2, we saw him find purpose outside of work with his relationship with the former patient. However, the apprehension others felt toward that made it clear that it wasn’t a good situation for him to be in.

If something bad happened between Whitaker and Amy, his bad attitude in the Season 3 trailer would make a lot more sense, and so would Howell’s song choice. So, I’m expecting an update on this front when Season 3 of The Pitt premieres in January.

In the meantime, I’ll be rewatching Seasons 1 and 2 with my HBO Max subscription to try and figure out why exactly Whitaker will be in a state of “sad yearning” come Season 3.

Dolly Parton's passing has brought out tributes from stars all over Hollywood, with Seth MacFarlane being a notable standout. The writer/actor featured the country legend on Season 3 of The Orville and paid tribute to her by speaking about her as a person and that experience.

Parton played a simulation of herself in the episode "Midnight Blue," as she was a hero of the Moclan revolutionary Heveena after Ed Mercer introduced her to the star's music. MacFarlane wrote about that experience on Instagram, as well as what he appreciated about her:

MacFarlane shared the clip, which CinemaBlend learned a good deal about years back thanks to director Jon Cassar. As Cassar told us back in 2022, shooting that cameo was no easy feat, as COVID lockdowns were in effect and many safeguards were in place that made guest appearances and everything else difficult. Dolly Parton was interested in appearing, but was stuck in Nashville.

This resulted in The Orville team shipping part of the set from Los Angeles to Nashville, to a studio where Parton does her own productions. The scene in question was then shot, but Parton and Heveena actress Rena Owen were never in the same room when it was filmed. The same set, split in half, with two thousand miles between them. It's pretty incredible.

It's an example of the lengths that people would go to include an icon like Dolly Parton. It really can't be stated enough how much the COVID lockdowns made production difficult for movies and television alike. It would've been so much easier to do a scene where Parton was seen on a viewscreen and they just recorded her on Zoom or something, but no, Seth MacFarlane was committed to making it feel authentic.

MacFarlane has also had a deep reverence for many classic music stars, such as Frank Sinatra and Conway Twitty. It's of little surprise he had such a deep reverence for someone like Dolly Parton, who seemed to be a profound influence on many throughout Hollywood.

I think it also speaks to MacFarlane's passion for The Orville, which is still in limbo. Word is that Season 4 is still a possibility, despite the series being on hiatus for years now. I would love to see the series return, though with some stars waffling on whether they'd commit to a future season, we'll just have to wait and see.

Meanwhile, The Orville remains available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu. Readers should certainly check out the episode with Dolly Parton's cameo if they haven't seen it already, as it's so interesting to see her in the sci-fi series.

Sydney Sweeney is pretty fearless in a lot of ways. She’s sporty, she works on her own cars (Broncos specifically), her Euphoria Season 3 plotlines were not for the faint of heart. Oh yeah, and she dove into the producing realm to take more control over the projects she’s in. Now, she’s taking a move from Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible book and walking on the wings of airplanes… for a fun date with Scooter Braun?

We know Sydney Sweeney and Scooter Braun have spent a lot of time together this summer. He visited her down under when she was filming Gundam. She came back to the States so she could be one of the celebs to watch New York's beloved Knicks win the NBA championship. Now they are getting into their plane stunt era, and she is specifically calling out Cruise. Take a look.

Yeah, this is like a safer, strapped in version of Tom Cruise crawling around the outside of the plane in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. Still, I’m not sure I would have the stones to commit to getting out there on the outside of a plane like the actress does. Maybe more action-adventure movies are in her future? She seems up for the task, considering the fact that earlier this summer she also posted about flying in helicopters, bungee jumping off a very high platform, racing go-karts and riding around in a very fast boat. Clearly, she's up for an adrenaline rush.

I thought she was out there just trying her hand at stunt work for giggles, but later in the week she confirmed this was for yet another date day with Scooter Braun.

Rumors that the celebrity couple were an item started swirling in 2025, but Scooter Braun didn’t actively open up about the “extraordinary woman” he’s been dating until May of this year. As noted prior, over the summer, they amped things up a notch with many destination adventures, including this plane-oriented date. Here’s the plane with Scooter on top of it.

I'm interested in all of this high-octane content, because it kind of gives us an idea of what the actress is capable of as we approach the release of her high-profile upcoming Netflix movie. Gundam's being described as a science fiction space adventure with an action bent, and it's based on a Japanese anime franchise with a built-in fanbase. It's been coming together for what feels like forever, and it looks like Sweeney has the adventurous spirit for the role.

Sydney Sweeney walking on the wings of a plane would have always had my attention, regardless of any Tom Cruise comparisons, but the fact she’s gunning for the famous actor and stunt expert has me enjoying her content even more.

While it feels like anyone with a connection to Taylor Swift or Travis Kelce was in Madison Square Garden on July 3 for their wedding, obviously, that’s not true. There were people, like Shania Twain, who couldn’t go. And there were other celebs, like Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who are now opening up about having FOMO over not being at the ceremony. That’s especially relevant for this Modern Family star considering his TV partner, Eric Stonestreet, was there to witness the singer and football player get married.

Overall, it seems like Jesse Tyler Ferguson has no qualms about not being at Taylor Swift’s wedding. However, he does keep getting asked about it, which is what’s causing the FOMO. Even though he was in Swift’s music video for “You Need To Calm Down,” he explained on his Dinner’s On Me podcast that he does not know her well and doesn’t have her phone number. But people assumed he did, and that’s what led to the questions about his attendance (or lack thereof):

Along with his own connection to Taylor Swift, Ferguson also spent years working on one of the best sitcoms with Eric Stonestreet, who was actually at the MSG wedding. So, that was also a reason why people assumed he was invited to the singer and football player’s big event.

Eric Stonestreet was at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding. And him getting one of those secretive invitations makes sense, too, because as Ferguson noted, he’s legitimately friends with Kelce and has been a Kansas City Chiefs fan for forever. The Cam actor even posted about getting all dressed up to attend a ceremony in New York City on July 3. Hilariously, after he posted it, the Mitchell actor commented, “If you don’t return my text in the next hour…” which seems to imply that he wanted the tea on the wedding at MSG.

Hopefully, his Modern Family co-star gave it to him. However, even if he did, Ferguson still has people asking if he was at Swift and Kelce’s wedding. So, in response, he just says:

Honestly, I can’t say I blame him for doing this; it’s a quick and easy way to get folks off his back. And it’s not a total lie; he was busy playing King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar on the West End in London at the time. Plus, there were people who legit couldn’t go to the wedding due to work conflicts. As I mentioned earlier, Shania Twain wasn’t there because she, ironically, was busy opening for Harry Styles in London.

Anyway, all this is to say, I get why Jesse Tyler Ferguson had a bit of FOMO over all of this. It would get a bit annoying to just have tons of people assume you were at an event you seemingly had no plans of attending. However, I do hope he got to hear all the stories from Eric Stonestreet about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding.

Kylie Jenner has been a reality TV fixture as part of the Kardashian-Jenner family since she was a child, but she can still be selective about what she chooses to share from her personal life. Maybe that’s why it was such a huge deal when she oh-so-casually divulged all the details of her breast implants to a curious TikToker. Following the viral moment, though, Jenner admits she’s probably not done making enhancements — she wants to go bigger!

The makeup mogul sat down with her friends on the Better Half with Stas & Vic podcast, where they talked about how cool it was that Kylie Jenner had shouted out to the world about her “445 cc, moderate profile, half under the muscle!!!!! silicone!!!” implants, thus empowering more women to be transparent about their own cosmetic procedures. It turns out, though, that she’s been sharing more information privately with Anastasia Karanikolaou and Victoria Villarroel:

Well, that certainly creates a mental image. This revelation was not news to Kylie Jenner’s friends, who said she has an “obsession with big tits” after talking about going bigger for at least the past year. In fact, they said she’d planned on going up in size before she turned 29, but since she’s already celebrated her birthday (complete with a cake shaped like her bikini bod), that clearly hasn’t happened.

She said she probably won’t get them before she turns the big 3-0 either, but there is something else she’s got in mind:

That’s very on-brand for the youngest Kardashian sibling, who is never afraid to flex her luxe lifestyle in her $100,000 worth of jewelry, her $10,000 bikini and her wall of Birkin bags. It also speaks to how she’s bringing back the Noughties (though some would argue belly rings never went out of style).

We’ve already seen Kylie Jenner rocking the aughts-era belly chain, and given those toned ab muscles she’s been flashing this summer, a belly ring seems like a great idea.

The big question, though, is how long she’ll wait before calling up ole Dr. Garth Fisher for an upgrade on those breast implants. From her description of what she wants, it sounds like it’ll be pretty obvious when she does go under the knife again. We’ll be able to see her coming from a mile away — even if she doesn’t choose to divulge her measurements again.

Before that happens, though, we will be able to get more behind-the-scenes peeks at what Kylie Jenner and the rest of her family have been up to, with The Kardashians returning for Season 8 on the 2026 TV schedule. The new episodes will premiere in October, and in the meantime, you can rewatch all of Keeping Up with the Kardashians and the first seven seasons of The Kardashians with a Hulu subscription.

Spoilers for Reacher Season 4 are ahead. You can stream the series with an Amazon Prime subscription and catch new episodes every Wednesday.

We were told Reacher sleeps with the enemy in the season currently airing on the 2026 TV schedule, and that’s exactly what happened in Episode 3. The titular character hooked up with Lila (who he didn’t know was the villain at the time). So, I had to ask AGNEZ MO, who plays Lila, what it was like to film a sexy, intimate scene with Alan Ritchson.

As I mentioned, one episode before it’s revealed that Lila is Reacher’s true villain, she and Reacher hook up after an incident. During a steamy scene where she helps him wash his wounds, they discuss what happened, and she makes it seem like she was initially lying and was actually a reporter. It ends with them making out, and when the show cuts back to them later on, Lila is sitting in her bed without clothes on while Reacher gets dressed so he can leave. When I asked AGNEZ MO what it was like to film this sex scene with Ritchson, she said:

This is standard protocol when it comes to filming intimate scenes. Casts of other Prime Video hits, like Maxton Hall and Off Campus, have opened up about intimacy coordinators and how they go about filming these moments in a way that ensures everyone involved feels safe and comfortable. Reacher made sure to do all that too.

Along with that, AGNEZ MO told me that Alan Ritchson was a great scene partner, and he was checking in with her to make sure she was doing well. Explaining the conversations she had with Reacher’s star surrounding Lilia and Reacher having sex, the actress said:

AGNEZ MO went on to tell me that along with Ritchson being caring and the intimacy coordinator helping them plan the sequence, the set was closed. So, there weren’t a ton of people watching the scene happen in-person.

Overall, the Lila actress said the scene where Reacher sleeps with the enemy was “very technical.” However, it also “did what it was supposed to do,” which was to give us a steamy scene that makes Reacher’s conflict this season way more complicated.

That is wonderful to hear, and I love that they were able to have a good time while filming this intimate moment. It’s important too, because the scene is vital to Season 4. It kind of starts to hint at Lila’s true self, as she gets caught in a lie, and it helps strengthen her relationship with Reacher, which is terrible for him, but great for us as viewers.

To see how this moment impacts the rest of Reacher’s critically acclaimed fourth season, you can stream the series on Amazon Prime.

When it comes to upcoming Marvel movies, Mahershala Ali’s Blade is a title that fans have been discussing and hoping for since it was announced back in 2019. Unfortunately, the production has seen its share of starts and stops. At this point, it seems as though the movie is now dead, and many have expressed disappointment. One fan even recently went as far as to claim Marvel fumbled Ali twice due to his abbreviated role on Luke Cage, but the show’s creator set the record straight.

Years before Ali signed on to play the Daywalker, he portrayed the slippery Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes during the first season of Luke Cage. Cottonmouth became a favorite amongst the fans and even the series’ cast as well and, because of that, there was an uproar when viewers witnessed Cornell’s death in Episode 7. Considering Ali’s brief tenure on the show, one X user assumed Marvel Television wasted him. However, Cheo Hodrari Coker reposted the message and provided some serious context:

So it seems there’s far more to this story than meets the eye. I honestly was sad to see Ali (and his character) exit the show so early, but I can understand the star’s conditions for signing on. While Ali remains booked and busy today, he was really in demand around the time Cage was in development. So it would’ve been nearly impossible for Coker, Marvel and co. to lock him down for a long-term TV gig. (And, as mentioned, he also would’ve lost out on the film that earned him his second Academy Award.)

So it seems there’s far more to this story than meets the eye. I honestly was sad to see Ali (and his character) exit the show so early, but I can understand the star’s conditions for signing on. While Ali remains booked and busy today, he was really in demand around the time Cage was in development. So it would’ve been nearly impossible for Coker, Marvel and co. to lock him down for a long-term TV gig. (And, as mentioned, he also would’ve lost out on the film that earned him his second Academy Award.)

I was very excited to see Mahershala Ali play Blade (a.k.a. Eric Brooks) in great part due to his stellar performance as Stokes. After the project was announced, it changed hands amongst a number of directors and screenwriters. The production’s setbacks have had some serious ramifications, and they even had an effect on Blade’s inclusion in Marvel Zombies (an animated series). All the while, fans haven’t held back their thoughts on the movie’s apparent demise, and neither has its leading man.

Ali – who made a vocal cameo as Blade in 2021’s Eternals – recently spoke about his superhero film’s reported cancellation. The A-lister sought to show “no offense” towards Marvel Studios, but he opined that if the vampire hunter were to return to the big screen, then it wouldn’t be with him. Ali also stated that “for whatever reason, that project is not for me” and that if the studio “wanted to do it, we would've done it.” For his part, studio head honcho Kevin Feige said he felt like a “failure” for not getting the movie off the ground.

It’s unfortunate that it doesn’t look like Mahershala Ali will get to wield his sword and take on fanged bloodsuckers on the big screen. Fans can debate on their own whether the Blade situation represents a fumble. However, when it comes to Ali’s first MCU character, Cheo Hodari Coker makes it crystal clear that no one dropped the ball on that front.

On that note, check out Ali’s work on Luke Cage by streaming the show with a Disney+ subscription.

Warning! The following contains spoilers from the Big Brother live feeds as of Tuesday, August 25. Stream the feeds with a Paramount+ subscription or on Pluto TV, and read at your own risk!

The Houseguests of Big Brother Season 28 may be some of the last people in the United States who don't know Dolly Parton passed away. So, it was strange that she was mentioned by Survivor vet Rick Devens after Angela Murray talked about her dog.

Those watching Big Brother online during Dee Valladares' HOH week overheard a conversation in the kitchen in which Angela was talking to the latest veto winner, LaLa Verrett, about her dogs, Dolly and Coco. This delayed her from getting back into the kitchen to check on something, and when she came in, she said that talking about Dolly and Coco can always distract her. This led to a comment from Rick, who said:

It's not weird that Devens would know that, as Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is pretty well known, as is her music. It's just odd that he would evoke her name on the exact day that her death was announced, with no one in the house seemingly aware that it had happened.

It does have me wondering if Big Brother will break the news to the Houseguests, as there have been instances in the past in which they were made aware of events in the outside world. For example, the Season 2 Houseguests were informed about the events of 9/11, and the BB: OTT cast was informed that Donald Trump won the election back in 2016. Big Brother: Canada also made headlines when the Houseguests were made aware of COVID-19 lockdowns and the season ended prematurely.

Outside of what's happening in the house, Dolly Parton's death will impact Big Brother episodes on the 2026 TV schedule. This Sunday's installment will be delayed by an hour, as CBS announced a tribute called Remembering Dolly: A Rhinestone Life. The special will feature archived interviews with Parton that CBS has obtained over the years, highlighting her career in and out of music.

Meanwhile, the game continues for the Houseguests, who all hope they'll get Big Brother's grand prize. If host Julie Chen Moonves or the production team don't inform the Houseguests of her death, there's a good possibility many of them won't learn of it until the game is over in early October. If that's the case, it'd be interesting to see how they'll react to that news in various interviews.

Big Brother airs on CBS on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Of course, the live feeds are always running too, which readers can stream on Paramount+ or with an ad-supported option on Pluto TV.

The entertainment industry and the world at large lost a true icon this week, as Dolly Parton sadly passed away at the age of 80. A beloved singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist, Parton has been widely mourned by fans and celebrities alike. While the star is no longer with us, her impact will surely continue to be felt, especially since she still has art that hasn’t been shared. For a little while now, it’s been known that Parton has a “secret song” that’s still in the vault and, after her death, it’s hard not to think about her discussing it.

During her lifetime, Parton had several myths or legends that swirl around her life and career, and she answered some questions on that front during an interview on The Tonight Show a few years ago. One of the queries that Fallon posed to her was the assertion that she had a tune locked away in a vault of sorts that wouldn’t be released until the 2040s. Parton confirmed that to be true, and her comments on not being around to hear it are incredibly bittersweet. Take a look:

And, in hindsight, it’s particularly heartbreaking to hear her say she “regretted” doing that, because it’s a “good song.” While Parton wished she could “dig up” the song and listen to it, I love the sweet message she had for those in the audience:

It would be an understatement to say that Dolly Parton was always full of surprises, and her reveal about that unreleased piece of music represents just one instance of that. As much of a widely known public figure as she was, the general public may not have been aware of some of her gigs and endeavors. I honestly didn’t even know she was a producer on Buffy the Vampire Slayer until a few years ago. Parton was multifaceted – both as a person and as an artist – and I think that’s something her fans will miss about her.

The “Jolene” singer sadly passed away on August 25 after having dealt with a previously undisclosed medical issue for much of the past year. Following Parton’s death, her representative confirmed that she’d recently had a brief battle with cancer. Although Parton kept aspects of her illness to herself, she was never shy about making mortality-related quips. She even once made a joke about the idea that she could “drop dead” amid a performance.

Parton’s sense of humor is arguably another aspect of her personality that made her so timeless. While her work predated a lot of contemporary artists, Parton had no problem connecting with the new crop of singers and songwriters. She notably collaborated with Miley Cyrus (to whom she was a godmother) and, for one of her final collaborations, Parton worked with Sabrina Carpenter.

All in all, the love and respect for Dolly Parton’s music spanned generations and, with that in mind, I imagine there will be immense excitement when that secret song is released in 2045. That moment will indeed be bittersweet since Parton won’t be with us, but I’d like to believe she’d be happy about her wishes being respected after her passing.

2026 has been a great year for book-to-screen adaptations, and the year's not over. Among the more anticipated titles set to arrive on the 2026 movie schedule is the film adaptation of Ali Hazelwood's mega-popular romance book, The Love Hypothesis. Those with a Prime Video subscription will be able to watch it beginning September 23. With less than a month to wait, we now have a proper trailer for the movie!

Move over hockey romances (don't leave, please, just make some room, thanks!) because school's in session for this love story. I love a good fake-dating story, especially when both characters have reason to make it work, and all the right kinds of chemistry for love to flourish.

Per PolygonThe Love Hypothesis started out as Star Wars fanfic, which was written by Ali Hazelwood under the pen name "Ever-So-Reylo." As you might be able to surmise from the non de plume, the fanfic centered on Star Wars characters Rey and Kylo Ren.

As I'm sure you can tell from the trailer, The Love Hypothesis is not about Star Wars characters (it just started out that way). The story uses the fake-dating trope, and is centered on PhD student Olive and professor Dr. Adam Carlsen. Though their story starts out as a fake relationship things begin to get complicated, as fake relationships often do in these stories.

The book arrived in 2021 and currently holds a 4.09 rating (out of 5) on Good Reads. That number is made even more impressive when we factor in that the novel has over 2 million ratings. Prime Video's adaptation of The Love Hypothesis is directed by Claire Scanion, and stars Lili Reinhart as Olive, and Tom Bateman as Adam Carlsen. Rachel Marsh plays Olive's best friend Ann, while Nicholas Duvernay plays Jeremy, the guy Ahn falls for.

Based on the trailer, The Love Hypothesis looks like a must-watch for me. I'm also digging the use of the periodic table for the marketing. We saw a bit of it in the trailer, and there's even more of it in the poster. Check it out:

As mentioned, The Love Hypothesis will be streaming on Prime Video, beginning September 23.

Any time of year when Rip Wheeler is laying out skull-bustin’ discipline on our TVs is a good time of year, and the wait is on for Season 2, with a new showrunner stepping in to guide the story after that deadly and kidnap-py season finale. The between-seasons hiatus is where star Cole Hauser gets to look and feel more like himself, without the need to dye his hair to match Rip’s, and without the need to put on any extra weight.

As many Yellowstone and Dutton Ranch fans are possibly aware, Hauser has made it a character priority to add around 25 lbs. to his frame to bring Rip to life (even if Texas heat makes it hard to keep the weight on. But if you think that means he’s downing protein powders and doing cardio between takes, that’s not exactly the kind of weight he’s packing on. Speaking with AwardsDaily about transforming himself into becoming Rip for Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone-verse, Hauser pointed out that being bigger doesn’t necessarily mean being more fit. In his words:

It would be more than a little disconcerting to throw on a new episode of Dutton Ranch to see Rip shirtless with a six-pack of rock-hard abs and biceps bulging to the point of bursting. That’s just not the specific kind of badass that fans have in mind for Rip. To the actor’s point, Rip’s body is the result of decades of daily ranchwork, peppered with sporadic acts of violence and criminal mischief, without a lick of time spent at the gym or on a weight bench. Nobody got time for reps.

Hauser continued, explaining that Rip’s non-specialized diet also plays into the weight gain, since he isn’t the kind of character who seems to care much about calorie counts and serving sizes. As the actor put it:

I don't even want to think about the day when Rip Wheeler is too old, weak and frail to get up with the chickens. Hopefully Dutton Ranch doesn't go on for THAT long. Although I guess seeing a Rip cyborg would be pretty cool, if it ever came to that. It probably won't come to that.

Beyond all the meat and potatoes, Cole Hauser shared another go-to meal for adding extra poundage:

If I ever looked in the mirror and saw Rip Wheeler's face, I might not complain too much. Although if I then had to go and saddle up horses and other break-of-dawn tasks, I might not ever stop complaining.

Dutton Ranch Season 2 will hopefully be as lean and muscular as Season 1 was, and with the added bonus of Ed Harris’ Everett becoming a bigger part of the story after he was left unsatisfied during the first season’s production. It’s unclear exactly when new episodes might be available to get obsessed with, but we’ll definitely be waiting until after the 2026 TV schedule has concluded.

Spoilers for the final season of Outer Banks are ahead! You can stream the show with a Netflix subscription.

There are a lot of things the Outer Banks cast will miss. However, based on Chase Stokes’ comments about the Twinkie, he will not miss that van. In fact, he was thrilled to see it go up in flames (literally). Considering the fact that this beat-up van was one of OBX’s signature vehicles, I was shocked to hear this response at first. However, the John B. actor told me all about the troubles that van caused, and I totally see why it was “so satisfying” to watch it explode in the season of OBX that just dropped on Netflix’s 2026 schedule.

In the eighth episode of Season 5, Cleo blows up the Twinkie so the Pogues can get away on a plane. The moment is truly epic; however, John B. looks – understandably – distressed over the destruction of his van. Stokes was not sad about it at all, though; in fact, he was thrilled to see it destroyed, as he told me:

Well, that certainly makes sense. Having four vans that constantly break that you have to use often has to be very annoying. So, seeing one of them get demolished would be incredibly satisfying.

On top of that, it is such a cool moment to end the show on. While it’s by no means the last scene of the series, the sequence on the airstrip where this explosion happens was the final scene they filmed for Outer Banks ever. Talk about a “fun” note to end on, as Carlacia Grant, who plays Cleo, described it.

Now, jumping to how OBX’s series finale ends, we do get to see a new shiny Twinkie at Sarah and John B.’s wedding. Stokes told me that this new van had no issues and a new engine, but ironically, he never got to drive it:

Honestly, it’s kind of wild that Stokes never got to drive the new van, especially after dealing with the old one for 50 episodes across five seasons. However, at least he got to see one of their old ones explode in a grand fashion at the very end of Outer Banks’ shoot.

With all that said, done and destroyed, if you’d like to see John B. drive around the Twinkie for five seasons, and then watch it explode in a way that truly is “so satisfying” at the end, you can stream all five seasons of Outer Banks on Netflix right now.

With Boston Blue Season 2 set to hit the 2026 TV schedule soon, fans missing Tom Selleck’s Frank Reagan are no doubt hoping for updates about a potential return from the actor who led CBS’ Blue Bloods for 14 seasons prior to its surprising cancellation in 2023. Still no final word on that just yet, but Selleck has been confirmed for his first scripted TV role since that cancellation!

What’s more, the new project is reuniting Selleck with his former big-screen co-star Ted Danson, which presumably means it’s going to be way funnier and breezier than most of CBS’ regular programming. What is this project, you ask? Well, it doesn’t have a title yet, which doesn’t help. But it’s a new Elizabeth Banks comedy that is currently in production, which will be available to stream at some point via Apple TV subscription.

For some background, the series centers on Banks as a recently divorced woman who unwittingly becomes a sexcapade coordinator for her father (Danson) and his libidinous trysts at his retirement community. She ends up forming a connection with the son (Rob Delaney) of her dad’s new girlfriend (Sagal), and it’s assumed that sparks will fly from there.

Selleck is joining the show in a guest star capacity, and EW reports that no details about his character have surfaced just yet. But considering he’s currently 81 years young, it’s not out of line to think that he could be a fellow retirement center resident, or perhaps the jealous husband of a woman that Danson’s character has been knocking boots with. (Or knocking slippers, in this case.) Just don't call Selleck himself retired, because that's not the case.

Though we technically don’t know for sure if Selleck and Danson will share scenes together, I’m going to blindly assume so, which would make this at least their fourth on-screen outing together.

• Tom Selleck co-starred with Ted Danson in:
  • Magnum P.I. Season 1 "Don't Say Goodbye"
  • Three Men and a Baby (1987)
  • Three Men and a Little Lady (1990)
• Tom Selleck appeared with Katey Sagal in:
  • Boston Legal Season 3 "Desperately Seeking Shirley"

Selleck also recently appeared with Danson for a live episode of the latter’s podcast Where Everybody Knows Your Name, which is also where Katey Sagal recently discussed still enjoying her sexuality at 72, which was enough to make the surprisingly introverted Cheers star want to fade into oblivion. Selleck also appeared on the podcast for its third-ever episode. I’d be very surprised if Danson wasn’t directly responsible for suggesting Selleck and then looping him into the fun.

Beyond all the big names already listed, the untitled streaming comedy will also feature performances from Widow's Bay's Hamish Linklater, Survival of the Thickest's Michelle Buteau and Shang Chi's Simu Liu.

This is certainly a more fun follow-up to Blue Bloods than I expected for Tom Selleck, who was reportedly aiming to get a new Jesse Stone TV project in development, though it doesn't seem like much progress has been made on that front. He is still presumably set to host the upcoming unscripted series Crime and Justice with Tom Selleck for History, but that doesn't sound like it'll be a laugh riot.

Here's hoping Selleck has a great time with the new project, and that it helps soothe some of the pains from not being able to save Blue Bloods from cancellation, despite attempts. Stay tuned for more on the new project as it's available, and stream all 14 seasons of Blue Bloods via Paramount+ subscription.

Off Campus has been the talk of the 2026 TV schedule, and it has shot its cast into a new level of stardom that has some comparing them to the stars of Friends. Now, as they film Season 2, the actors are branching out and doing brand deals and other work. So, it tracks that Belmont Cameli would do a Starbucks ad, and it’s fitting that Martha Stewart had an A+ zing to throw at him during it. However, there’s a wrinkle to this that we need to discuss.

Now, if you’re like me, you were probably shocked when you saw this ad, because up until the release of this video, I had never had a thought that included both Belmont Cameli and Martha Stewart. However, that notion plays into this ad, as you can see below:

As you can see in the video, Stewart talks a bit about pumpkin spice latte season being basic, but perfect. And then Belmont Cameli shows up, asks for a straw, and pokes fun at Stewart by saying, “You would get it hot.” In response, the TV personality said:

Well, this is hilarious for a few reasons. First of all, it feels like everyone streamed Off Campus with an Amazon Prime subscription and is obsessed with the book-to-screen adaptation. So, it’s wild that Stewart would question him. However, on the flip side, this is a great zing because Cameli is a very new household name. While he’s been working for a while, this hockey romance undoubtedly is the primary reason most people know who he is now. So, to an extent, I get Martha’s question of “Should I know him?” because he's been known for far less time than her.

However, there’s a wrinkle to this that makes it even better, because Stewart actually wasn’t even with the Garrett Graham actor on set. She explained that to everyone too, as she commented on the Instagram post about the commercial:

After reading this, the “Should I know him?” hits even harder, because Stewart clearly was not actually looking at Belmont Cameli when she filmed this. It would seem they did their parts at different times and simply looked at stand-ins while saying their lines, which is a common practice. So, her joke kind of isn’t a joke, which honestly makes it better to me.

I also have to say that Stewart referring to the actor as “this guy” in the comments seems to imply that she really might not be fully up to speed on Off Campus. Obviously, I don’t know that for sure, but at bare minimum, her statement plays into the silly commercial and her not knowing who Belmont Cameli is in a very funny way.

Now, after all this, I’d love to hear Martha Stewart’s thoughts on the sexually explicit Amazon Prime project that turned Belmont Cameli into a viral heartthrob. I’d also love it if they could actually meet so we could see how she really reacts to one of the biggest breakout stars of 2026.

Amid Sean “Diddy” Combs’ prison stint, he’s been ensnared in a few different lawsuits, and one of them seemingly came to a conclusion this past spring. 56-year-old Combs filed suit against NBCUniversal, Peacock and Ample Entertainment in 2025 over the Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy documentary. Diddy specifically sued for defamation due to claims made within the doc. However, a federal judge ruled in favor of the defendants and, now, Combs is reportedly facing the possibility of taking a financial hit as a result.

NBCUniversal is now requesting that the ex-rapper cover its legal fees in the aftermath of its favorable ruling. Per AllHipHop, the media conglomerate is asking that Combs pay $990,292 for legal compensation. The company initially sought $927,448, but it tacked on $62,844 after Combs rejected its fee application. Lawyers for the corporation argue that the “Come with Me” performer is legally bound to cover the costs due to New York's anti-SLAPP law since his claims centered around speech involving public-interest issues.

Diddy’s defamation suit was originally filed in February 2025, and he was seeking $100 million from the producers of the documentary. That legal move came shortly after the embattled mogul’s team issued a statement on Making of a Bad Boy. Combs and his attorneys lambasted that production for allegedly including “unchecked claims.” They also asserted that “the motivations and credibility of those being interviewed must be questioned,” because “many claim to have knowledge but lack any connection to the truth.”

Yet, as part of her ruling, Judge Phaedra Perry-Bond dismissed every claim in the suit. Judge Perry-Bond’s contention was that it was “inconceivable as to how the documentary created additional damage to [Diddy’s] reputation, which was already tarnished by the numerous lawsuits…” The last portion of that statement references the myriad of lawsuits that Combs is currently facing from plaintiffs accusing him of sexual assault, harassment and more.

Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy features interviews with subjects who’ve had professional and/or personal dealings with the titular businessman over the years. Following its release on Peacock in January 2025, the doc became a trending title. Notably, the film is just one Combs-centric production that’s been released in the last year or so. December marked the release of Netflix’s Sean Combs: The Reckoning, which was produced by 50 Cent and earned critical acclaim.

Combs spoke out against The Reckoning’s creative team for allegedly utilizing footage he claimed was stolen from him. And, earlier this month, Combs sued former producing partner Rodney “Lil’ Rod” Jones for allegedly selling that footage to Netflix. Long before that filing, Fiddy and director Alexandria Stapleton denied that they’d stolen footage, though they have not revealed how they acquired it. As it stands, the production is up for three Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.

Meanwhile, as Combs deals with lawsuits, he’s also seeking to appeal his conviction. He was sentenced to four years (or 50 months) in prison after being guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. As it stands, Combs is set to be released from FCI Fort Dix on February 20, 2028.

For now, questions still remain in regard to Diddy’s various legal entanglements, including NBCUniversal’s request for legal fee coverage. As of this writing, Combs’ lawyers have yet to issue a statement on the request.

Actor Brett Goldstein became a household name in recent years, thanks to his acclaimed role in Ted Lasso (which is streaming with an Apple TV subscription). He's gone on to other major gigs like Office Romance opposite JLo, and through it all he's maintained a ripped physique. Goldstein posed in nothing but a towel recently, explaining why he maintains his fitness at age 46.

Goldtein's physique has been on display on screen before, including his cameo as Hercules in Taika Waititi's Thor: Love and Thunder's credits scene. But he's looking especially jacked on the cover of Men's Health, where he discussed staying in shape. You can see for yourself below, with Roy Kent wearing nothing but a towel.

Holy abs. Despite being firmly in his mid-40s, Brett Goldstein is looking like a spring chicken in the above images. A spring chicken that is absolutely yoked that is. So why exactly does the Ted Lasso star say in such good shape?

In the story from Men's Health, Goldstein talked about why staying in shape is so important to him. He originally started working out for a superhero role in the English movie Superbob. But it seems like, in addition to its affect on his physique, working out is also helpful for the actor's mental health. As he tells it:

Sounds like a typical Hollywood tale. While so many of us struggle with body image and fitness, having to go shirtless on the big screen really raises the stakes. And as such, Goldstein's fitness regimen ended up staying long after he appeared in Superbob.

Goldstein's JLo rom-com Office Romance had the actor playing a lawyer, and it turns out that his trainer Jeff Yahiro originally wanted him to lose some muscle. That is, until it was clear that he'd be sharing the screen with the "Let's Get Loud" singer. In his words:

Points were made. Jennifer Lopez's body is similarly insane, and the accomplished actress/pop star is basically ageless at this point. And as such, Goldstein stayed in superhero shape so he could keep up with JLo for those with a Netflix subscription.

The Sheep Detectives voice actor has to stay in shape for his job, but he also spoke about how helpful it is for his mental health. In the hulking actor's words:

Sometimes celebrities really are just like us. There are plenty of people out there, myself included, who have benefitted mentally from regularly exercising. I find it helps with my anxiety, and it sounds like Brett Goldstein gained more than just muscle from staying so active. His new trainer revealed that the actor does "superset circuits, very heavy weights." He also works hard on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, resting the rest of the week.

Goldstein can be seen weekly on Ted Lasso over on Apple TV as part of the 2026 TV schedule. He's also got some upcoming projects heading down the line as well, where he'll presumably be ripped AF.

NCIS' return to the 2026 TV schedule will be exciting for a few reasons, but mainly because a big star is set to return. Michael Weatherly will pop back in the mix as Tony DiNozzo, and after plenty of teases, we finally know why he'll return.

Michael Weatherly hinted at what's to come at Comic-Con Midlands, but could only say so much at the time. While he couldn't get into specifics, the one thing he made clear was that his spinoff Tony & Ziva won't be erased in this big return:

The actor has continued to emphasize the Paramount+ series, although cancelled, is still worth watching because it will tie into Season 24 of NCIS. As for how much, we can only wait and see, but I think it's a positive sign that the actor is a fan of what is to come.

On the heels of that, a new pic of Tony was shared over at EW. With its arrival comes new details on the character from showrunner Steven Binder. Following the conclusion of the Paramount+ spinoff, here's a little more concrete detail what Tony is up to when Season 24 premieres on CBS:

Just in case you forgot, or haven't watched the other series, Salus Mondiale is the security company the couple started in NCIS: Tony & Ziva. As we've heard from Michael Weatherly and others, there will be some crossover between one adventure series and the other. Not that I think anyone should be surprised by that, as the spinoff was totally in line with the franchise, and there should be some fan crossover as well.

However, if you do want to catch up, now's a great time. NCIS: Tony & Ziva is still available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription,

To note, Binder went on to talk about Michael Weatherly returning to NCIS as Tony, and spoke about how great it was to see the character back in the flagship series. Fans can expect to see the character they know and love, but who is a bit different from when they last saw him.

Season 24 of NCIS likely won't be the season where Tony DiNozzo is working with the team nonstop, as there are plenty of other arcs to handle. There's a pretty big Season 23 cliffhanger to resolve. Gary Cole has teased that Alden Parker may not be done skirting the law as he did last season, and I'd love to see Tony be a part of that.

What I'll be most eager to see is how NCIS fans respond to the return, and if it results in Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo having a bigger presence in future seasons of the series or other spinoffs. I'm just glad to see these actors get a chance to tell more stories, especially after their spinoff was canceled.

NCIS returns to CBS on October 6th. I can't wait to see the crime shows back on network TV this fall, as my summer has been pretty light on crime and punishment.

Taylor Swift has been very open and honest about the fact that the criticism she receives is “fuel” for her work. It’s obvious in her songs, and it’s something she is not afraid to discuss. Now, she’s opening up about why it’s actually “really fun to mock” the people who take shots at her through her music.

During a conversation for The Icon Sessions, the interview noted that he does not think there’s another songwriter who has had to consider public perception as much as Swift has. That led to questions about said criticism and perception, like “How does that not block your creativity?” and “How does that not slow down your process having to think about how it’s going to be interpreted?” Here’s how the singer responded to that:

Two of the best examples of Swift mocking people back are “Blank Space” from 1989 and Reputation’s “Look What You Made Me Do.” Ironically and iconically, they’re both massive hits. However, it was the Rep album (which fans still want the re-release of) and that aforementioned single that really bit back at the general perception and misinterpretation of Taylor Swift, as she explained:

You can feel that bite in a lot of Reputation’s tracks, and you can see that energy on stage if you watch the Eras Tour proshot with a Disney+ subscription. Anyway, Swift went on to say that it was through this album that she learned that when “people are in a hate frenzy,” you can’t reason with them. Here’s what she does instead:

You can see this kind of extreme reaction from people almost anytime Taylor Swift does anything. However, it feels most prominent when she releases an album. For example, in recent years, while there are tons of Swifties and casual fans who love projects like The Tortured Poets Department and The Life of a Showgirl, the amount of hate and criticism they and Swift receive is overwhelming to witness.

Also, from a personal perspective, the attention on Swift’s love life and her relationships with other celebrities is bright and intense. Before Reputation came out, that spotlight was especially harsh too, as the scrutiny toward the singer intensified to a new level. It was because of that that she wrote “Look What You Made Me Do,” as she explained:

Overall, Taylor Swift explained that it’s through mocking back and making these tongue-in-cheek and mischievous tracks that she’s able to respond and cope with the criticism she’s faced. As she stated, she’s realized people won’t listen to a sincere response. So, this satirical and mocking music is her way of responding.

It gets people listening too. Tracks like “Look What You Made Me Do,” “Blank Space” and Midnight’s “Anti-Hero” all comment on the mockery Swift faces, and in their own way, they mock people back. However, despite being cheeky and calling people out, they’re also huge hits that further prove why Taylor Swift is the massive pop star she is.

The Kardashians are queens of black bikini summer. Kim Kardashian’s rocked a black bikini (and a belly chain) just this summer. Khloe Kardashian’s done it. Kylie Jenner’s been on this train for years. So, it shouldn’t have been a real surprise when Kylie threw on yet another black bikini for her latest photoshoot. What was more interesting? Her fancy bling.

Earlier this week, Kylie Jenner took to Instagram to share a fun look by the pool as we near the end of summer. In it, she’s wearing two huge rings and a tiara. The pics were posted this week, but I’m guessing the tiara was in celebration of her birthday earlier this month on August 10th.

To be honest, at first, I thought nothing of this look. I have a similar birthday tiara I bought on Amazon for like $10 bucks, and Kylie’s looks to be basically the same sort of deal. However, that birthday tiara is absolutely a misdirect, according to Page Six. The tiara itself is allegedly a cheapo, but it’s those rings you should be really keeping your eye on.

In fact, the rings she’s wearing collectively are worth more than $100,000. She apparently has on two different Tiffany rings, worth $18,200 and $16,800, respectively. That bigger, bolder ring on her ring finger is from Cartier. It retails for a whopping $66,000, and has two pretty green emeralds hidden in the middle of the setting. It’s stylish, it’s stunning, and it is exactly the type of thing you don’t want to lose at the bottom of a pool (or ocean, in Kim’s case).

Lest you think she’s not out here marketing any KHY products, you aren’t paying careful attention. Those are Muse Thong Wedge in the last pic in her thread. To be fair, though, eagle-eyed fans were less interested in the bling and way more interested in the lighter, which looked like it had her face on it.

• "Imagine asking Kylie for a light and she hands you Kylie 😭🔥"
• '“Selfie lighter” is one way to ensure nobody steals it… 😂😂😂'
• "A lighter with your face on it you’re so iconic."
• "Is that a Kylie lighter ..... Where can u buy that?"
• "The selfie lighter is iconic."

The one person wondering if the lighter is purchasable is the one out here asking the hard-hitting questions, if you ask me. Needless to say, it’s been a memorable birthday month, though perhaps not as memorable as the time she shared hundreds and hundreds of flowers for her 25th. And definitely not as memorable as the time she covered her entire body in gold dust. Hopefully, we’ll see more of her big day when The Kardashians returns for those with a Hulu subscription.

Suffice to say, we may no longer be in the King Kylie era, but she still knows how to catch our attention on social media. So, happy 29th birthday to Queen Kylie, and I can’t wait to see what you “bling” to the table when you turn 30.

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson have been joking for years about the possibility that they may actually be related. At this point, I thought I was pretty used to the idea. Then McConaughey shared a new image from their most recent collaboration, the upcoming Apple TV series Brothers, and suddenly I understand why nobody can let this thing go. Because they really do look like a lot of like in this uncanny new series photo.

The actor shared the image from the 2026 TV show release to his Instagram Stories, with Apple placing him and Harrelson side by side in a shot from the new comedy. Maybe it is the matching expressions. Maybe it is the lighting. Maybe decades of friendship have caused their faces to slowly converge, the way longtime couples sometimes start to resemble each other.

I was going to make a joke about dogs looking like their owners, but neither man deserves that stray. Whatever is happening here, though, these two really do look like brothers, as you can see in the image below.

The resemblance is especially funny because Brothers is built around the real-life question that has followed the Dallas Buyers Club star and Harrelson for years.

The eight-episode comedy series, set for streaming for all Apple TV+ subscribers, has the True Detective stars playing fictionalized versions of themselves. Woody and his family move onto Matthew’s ranch after his daughter’s wedding goes sideways, only for Matthew’s mother (played by Holland Taylor) to let slip a rather significant family secret: the longtime friends might actually be biological brothers. Woody starts digging for answers while Matthew has another problem on his hands, a possible run for governor of Texas.

That premise sounds ridiculous until you remember there is a real story behind it. The two A-list best friends have said their families began wondering about a biological connection after McConaughey’s mother, Kay, revealed that she knew Harrelson’s father, Charles, around the time the Interstellar actor was conceived. Harrelson has been much more willing to settle the question with a DNA test. The Dazed and Confused star has resisted, explaining that a positive result would also mean learning the man he spent his life believing was his father was not biologically related to him. And since McConaughey’s dad died decades ago, with the Cheers star’s father also long gone, there is no easy way to get answers without potentially rewriting a pretty significant piece of his family history.

He was equally unmoved when Maury Povich jokingly offered to help settle the question with one of his famous paternity tests, because apparently even “You are the brother!” is not enough to get McConaughey into a lab. He later explained why he still was not interested. Apple clearly knows exactly what it has here.

The comedy also marks another major reunion for the pair after EDtv, Surfer, Dude and, most famously, the first season of True Detective. Harrelson has already warned anyone expecting another Rust Cohle and Marty Hart murder mystery that Brothers is very much a comedy, comparing its approach more closely to Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Honestly, making an entire new TV series out of the weirdest rumor surrounding your friendship is already a pretty great bit. But after seeing that new photo, I have one problem. The show may spend eight episodes asking whether these guys are brothers, and I’m increasingly worried the publicity department has already spoiled the answer.

Brothers premieres Sept. 23 on Apple TV, with the first two episodes arriving together before new episodes stream weekly through Nov. 4.

We're more than halfway through the year, and so far, 2026 has delivered some pretty great movies. From heavy-hitters from the 2026 movie schedule to a variety of streaming exclusives, there’s a little something for everyone.

While we'll be waiting until the start of September to catch The Mandalorian and Grogu on Disney+, the final days of August have some intriguing titles arriving to streaming and VOD. That includes Alan Ritchson's action movie, Motor City, which is now on VOD, and the Robert De Niro crime thriller The Whisper Man, which will hit Netflix before the end of August.

New Movies Streaming By Platform

If you'd rather see the titles broken down by streaming platform, read on!

New Movies Streaming On Apple TV

Though a lot of us use our Apple TV subscription to watch the streamer’s great shows like Ted Lasso, Shrinking, and The Studio, there’s also a nice library of movies.

New Movies Streaming On Disney+

This year has been great for folks with a Disney+ subscription, as the platform has dropped some serious bangers, with more on the way. There’s a massive library of new and recent movies on Disney+ right now, even more if you have the Hulu bundle.

New Movies Streaming On HBO Max

When it comes to new movies streaming, an HBO Max subscription is going to give you the most bang for your buck.

New Movies Streaming On Hulu

A Hulu subscription gives you access to some great recent movies, like Ready or Not 2: Here I Come.

New Movies Streaming On Netflix

A Netflix subscription gives you access to original shows, but let’s not forget the movies.

New Movies Streaming On Paramount+

Check out some of the recent movies available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription...

New Movies Streaming On Peacock

And here are some of the great movie titles you can watch with a Peacock subscription...

New Movies Streaming On Prime Video

Do you have an Amazon Prime subscription? If so, there are a couple of movies you’ll for sure want to check out this month, including Project Hail Mary, which you can now watch on Prime Video.

New Movies Streaming On Starz

If you have Starz, you’ll be able to watch The Housemaid if you missed the Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried thriller during its massive box office run late last year. But that isn’t the only recent movie streaming on the platform.

New Movies Streaming On VOD

Don’t want to wait for your favorite movies (or maybe those you missed on the big screen) to hit one of your go-to streaming services? You’ll have to pay a premium for the convenience of watching a movie early (some of these titles cost $25 on Amazon), but sometimes it’s totally worth it. If you’ve been wanting to catch Motor City, The Invite, or some of these other titles, now's your chance.

We'll continue to update this page as new titles and streaming dates are announced.

While Marvel fans have largely been busy anticipating upcoming MCU movies like Avengers: Doomsday and the X-Men reboot, Kevin Feige has taken some critical flak from the fandom recently for Wonder Man's cancellation. Two weeks after receiving an Emmy nomination, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II learned Wonder Man Season 2 had been nixed despite Season 2 already being confirmed. Since then, the lead actor has been addressing why he thinks the renewal was reversed, and has given his take on why he believes it takes longer for Black audiences to find projects like Wonder Man.

Part of the fans’ criticism is that along with Wonder Man, other Black-led projects have been shelved, which has many calling out an alleged pattern Marvel has. Tonya Mosley, from NPR Fresh Air, is one of many who have asked Abdul-Mateen his opinion on this pattern and how it connects to Black audiences:

In the case of Wonder Man, Abdul-Mateen was told that the viewership numbers couldn’t make the math work to balance against production costs. Many lapsed fans saw the series as the perfect show to return to Marvel for, so the loss hits hard. I’m still hopeful we’ll see Simon (and Trevor) again in a future project, even if it’s part of an ensemble. (Meanwhile, you can still watch the award-nominated first season with a Disney+ subscription.)

However, fans are also pointing out canceled plans for Armor Wars (which was supposed to focus on Don Cheadle’s Rhodey) and the shelving of the Blade movie. Mahershala Ali has since been candid about Blade going nowhere, though he harbors no ill will toward the studio, and has moved on to other things. But it still isn't the best optics for Marvel's part. Especially after another project led by a Black star, Ironheart, had poor viewership for its first season, while the animated series Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur was canceled after two seasons.

Seeing all these projects gone so soon, Abdul-Mateen admits:

Despite the unfortunate outcome, the actor continues to feel “thankful and blessed” to be part of the series. Abdul-Mateen feels the love from fans and believes it’s because people “love that show.” He has since shared what his dreams were for a Season 2 and at the time, stated his believed solution: “So our show does deserve some study and some real, hard information about why a show like this did not continue forward.”

Additionally, Wonder Man co-creator Destin Daniel Cretton has defended Kevin Feige after the news was announced. He said that he believed, “If it were up to Kevin, we’d be doing that show,” and spoke about how much the Marvel CEO loved the series. Hopefully, this means we Simon and Trevor’s adventures will live to see another day.

Hopefully, Marvel will produce plenty of future projects led by POC talents. And if that includes bringing Abdul-Mateen back in some way, that's just fine with us.

When Keeping Up with the Kardashians premiered on E! in 2007, the Kardashian-Jenner family members were not household names like they are today. Kim Kardashian had her sex tape, her father Robert was part of O.J. Simpson’s legal team, and Caitlyn Jenner was a well-known Olympian, but otherwise they were living fairly private lives. Khloé Kardashian reflected on those early days, and I love the blunt advice they were given ahead of that first season.

These days Khloé Kardashian has gone from reality TV star to reality TV producer, as The Girls: A Khloé Kardashian Project premieres on the 2026 TV schedule. After nearly 20 years of living life in front of the cameras, one would think Khloé is more than qualified to lead her friends to a successful venture. However, as she recalled the advice her family got back in 2007, having low expectations might have been what worked to their advantage. She told THR:

I can definitely see how having any kind of expectations might have killed authenticity when it came to having cameras following the family around, so it probably helped that they were advised to leave it all on the field and play as if there were no tomorrow. (It probably also didn’t hurt that Kris Jenner apparently misled them when convincing Khloé and Kourtney to agree to filming.)

Keeping Up with the Kardashians was lightning in a bottle, with all the sisters’ different personalities launching the family into a multi-billion-dollar empire. But it was the way they didn’t necessarily expect anything to come from it that allowed them to be so open.

Khloé and Kourtney definitely gave off major DGAF vibes in those early seasons. The way they pushed all of Kim’s buttons just seemed so real, and that connected with viewers. Khloé continued:

To that end, Khloé Kardashian said she didn’t overprepare her friends to be on The Girls. She only encouraged them to be as open and transparent as possible, which she said they did to varying degrees.

Only time will tell if The Girls will bring enough drama to launch a new series in the Kardashian oeuvre. All six episodes can be streamed with a Hulu subscription, along with every episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Kardashians, whose Season 8 is premiering in October.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has been one of the August 2026 returning TV shows that I have been looking forward to. The show is not always perfect, but it’s a show I will gladly watch until the end of time. The It’s Always Sunny Season 18 premiere episodes confirm why this show deserves its 18 seasons.

It added a great new character while giving a wacky send-off to a few others. It was the goodbyes that connected with me the most and made me appreciate the series’ approach to death.

Warning: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

I Was Shocked And Disappointed It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia Kills Sam, But Then Realized I Preferred That Ending For Her

I loved Sam (Carol Kane) and Frank’s (Danny DeVito) relationship on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. They charmed me a lot during the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17 finale. I wanted Carol Kane to become part of the show and for Sam and Frank to just be a weird happy couple for the rest of the series.

Nonetheless, I knew that was highly unlikely. That’s not the gang, or It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s style. Therefore, I assumed the show would find a way to end Frank and Sam’s relationship. I just wasn’t expecting her to die. I also didn’t expect her to die in such a gruesome way.

However, the romantic in me enjoyed that only death could be a fitting end to Frank and Sam’s romance. Sometimes the only thing that can separate soulmates is death.

How The Series Treats Bonnie's Death Goes Against Sitcom Norm, But It Works So Well Within The Show's Premise

Sam’s death also allowed the show to talk about Lynn Marie Stewart’s death. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia acknowledges her death at the end of Season 17, but doesn’t show the characters reacting to it. The premiere episodes are all about Bonnie Kelly (Lynn Marie Stewart) without losing their usual antics.

Many sitcoms have dealt with actors' deaths. And sometimes the show just recasts and ignores it, while other times they pay tributes to the actors and characters in sentimental ways. Funny shows suddenly become more serious. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia doesn’t lose its comedic edge as it addresses Charlie’s(Charlie Day) loss of his mom.

I really loved this approach because Stewart is a comedy actress and played a very quirky character. During It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 18 Episode 2, “Dennis and Dee Do Not Get Rich,” Charlie and Frank acknowledge that this is what the women would have wanted after launching the cannonball that sent Sam into the river. Bonnie and Sam’s funeral is over-the-top and crazy, similar to these first two episodes of the long-running series.

This statement from Charlie and Frank feels like the actors are also acknowledging that Stewart wouldn’t have wanted a sentimental episode to tell her goodbye. She would have wanted something insane, similar to these two episodes.

I Love That It's Always Sunny's First Two Episodes Of Season 18 Focus On Bonnie's Death Because It Gives Her A Great Send-Off

I have only seen the first two episodes of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 18. Therefore, I have no idea if the rest of the episodes will mention Bonnie’s death again.

However, having the first two episodes (which you can watch with a Hulu subscription) revolve around it feels like the best way to honor her. It shows her importance to the series. She is the focal point to start a milestone season.

Spoilers below for anyone who hasn’t yet watched Lanterns’ latest episode on HBO or streaming via HBO Max subscription, so be warned!

After a premiere that seemingly killed off its iconic superhero — though I’m not fully convinced that’s the case — on top of some NSFW uses of the Green Lantern ring, Lanterns’ second episode introduced audiences to the iconic DC comic book villain Sinestro. The scene in question, which features Hal Jordan flying out to meet his former mentor in a space prison, is where the promotional first look at the villain was taken from. So fans may be wondering just how much more of the critical character we’ll be seeing this season.

If the co-creators are to be believed: not all that much. Which isn’t to say that Ulrich Thomsen’s Sinestro will be wasted with his on-screen time or anything. Just that there won’t be an overabundance of on-screen time. Which is something executive producer Damon Lindelof says is a calculated move that played firmly into the idea that Season 1’s murder-mystery narrative doesn’t have a textbook “big bad” for the heroes to face off against and defeat in the most traditional sense.

Though more direct forms of antagonism may come in the future, SInestro’s role in Season 1 seems to be as a motivating factor for Hal, even if said motivating isn’t through good-natured encouragement. As Lindelof explained to EW, the writers conceived this version of Sinestro to be Lanterns’ take on Silence of the Lambs’ most eloquent monster.

Though it's unclear just how closely Lanterns' "intense" backstory for Hal and Sinestro will reflect one or more of their comic book arcs, the general idea is that Sinestro was Hal's fatherly figure within the Green Lantern Corps, and he inevitably let the Yellow Lantern's fear take over his willpower, causing his turn to villainy. Sinestro's actions did a lot of damage to Hal's optimism and ability to see the good in others, which is why he's such a surly squirrel with Aaron Pierre's John.

Showrunner Chris Mundy more directly lays out an explanation for why Sinestro isn't getting his villainous due in this particular season, saying:

Whether or not one thinks the co-creators' plan was a solid idea, everything Mundy says does make logical sense. If this fairly grounded show added a hyper-intelligent alien nemesis into the mix, it could create a narrative overload that would get criticized for different reasons. Damned if you do, and so on.

Plus, the dual-timeline nature of events would also create complications when introducing an overarching villain. Would Sinestro break out of his jail in 2006, and then not get stopped until 2016, or some other situation?

Damon Lindelof shared that the starting point was the most extreme version of events, in which Sinestro was never seen nor heard, and that they built the story out from there, as opposed to conceiving of a villainous endgame and then working backwards. In the live-action Watchmen creator's words:

Also logical enough at face value, and is smart from a TV-writing perspective. But then there's that question about expectations, which spins all of these comments back around to being a bit maddening. Which I say even as someone who genuinely enjoys Lanterns for withholding the spectacle early on.

Maddening in that Sinestro's sparse usage is being explained away using a narrative conceit that the creators crafted specifically for this show. Nothing was being foisted upon them from outside forces, and they weren't sourcing specific "light-on-villainy" storylines. It stands to reason that if any of them despero-tely wanted to tell a Sinestro-centric story for Hal and John, they wouldn't have gone the murder-mystery route in the first place.

I understand the need to keep things easy to understand for viewers who aren't familiar with Green Lantern's lore, and that it'll be easier to build up to space-faring adventures rather than starting there. But it's wild to hear that they asked themselves, "What would drive me the most nuts" as fans, but didn't foresee other fans being driven nuts by a story and aesthetic that looks and acts so differently from the comic book stories that made them Green Lantern fans.

So does this mean Sinestro and Parallax will team up in Season 2? Obviously not, but it sure would be nice if enough people are watching to convince HBO to up the budget to deliver a proper Good vs. Evil-ish story next time around.

I've been getting caught up on the Dungeon Crawler Carl books over the past few months (I've officially read all eight books!) and am obviously fully on board with the LitRPG series. I've also been among the fans who are as hopeful to see the story adapted as we are hopeful it's adapted well. I'm not sure how they'll make it work, but I want to see it happen.

Well, there is a plan for a book-to-screen adaptation of Matt Dinniman’s beloved series, and the updates about the project are actually really good. From what we’ve heard so far, while it’s very unlikely we’d see this series on the 2026 TV schedule, there has been forward momentum.

Newer updates will come first in the guide below. If you’re looking for information and my thoughts on the book series, you can find that further down.

NEW Achievement! The Dungeon Crawler Carl TV Show Has TWO Showrunners (August 2026)

In August 2026, Matt Dinniman announced that Chris Yost and Eric Heisserer will serve as co-showrunners for the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. We've known about Chris Yost's involvement in the adaptation, but this is confirmation he'll be a showrunner. It's brand new news that Heisserer will be joining in the role of leading the writing for the series.

Most of Heisserer's credits are in film -- he wrote the adapted screenplay for Denis Villeneuve's Arrival (based on Ted Chiang's novella, Story of Your Life), so I'm automatically on board with this news based on that alone -- but he's no stranger to book-to-screen adaptations for TV either, as he developed Netflix's series adaptation of Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone.

In Yost's own announcement for this news, he assured fans that neither he nor Heisserer own cocker spaniels. I just assumed as much, but it's good to be certain.

I mean, really Carl.

The Dungeon Crawler Carl TV show has cast Jeff Hays To Voice Princess Donut

I was hoping SDCC would be the place for the TV series to unlock a cast announcement achievement, and it was! At San Diego Comic Con today, it was announced that Jeff Hays would voice the role of Princess Donut, Carl's feline partner in this chaotic journey. It looks like Hays joined the panel following the big news, which must have been a real treat for everyone in the room. This is the first bit of casting to be announced about the TV show, and it's clear they've started things off on the right paw. Matt Dinniman shared the good news in the Instagram post above.

As a big fan of the DCC audiobooks, I don't think they could've found a more perfect person to voice Princess Donut than Jeff Hays. If you haven't listened to the audiobooks, I highly recommend checking them out. Hays does a masterful job voicing the various characters in the books, including Carl and Donut. He very much set the bar high for her voice, so it only makes sense that he be the one to meet the standard for the TV adaptation.

Now, who will play Carl?

Fast Facts About The Dungeon Crawler Carl TV Show

• Dungeon Crawler Carl is being adapted for a TV show at Peacock
• Seth MacFarlane, Erica Huggins and are producing through Fuzzy Door productions
• Chris Yost is writing and executive producing the series.
• Yost will serve as co-showrunner alongside Eric Heisserer.
• The great audiobook narrator Jeff Hays will voice the role of Princess Donut the Queen Anne Chonk
• Carl has not been cast yet. No other characters have been cast besides Donut.
• Mongo is undoubtedly appalled.

• Below you can find previously posted updates to the Dungeon Crawler Carl TV show.

Peacock Officially Ordered The Dungeon Crawler Carl Adaptation To Series (June 2026)

As steps to getting an adaptation from page to screen -- or a TV show made in general -- this is a big one, Crawlers. We've known since April that Peacock was the streaming platform circling the adaptation of Dungeon Crawler Carl. This month (June), Seth MacFarlane and Matt Dinniman shared the good news that the streamer had officially greenlit the series. THR's update on the news notes that it'll be a live-action show, and confirmed that Chris Yost was set to write and executive produce.

In Matt Dinniman's celebratory post, he mentioned that he'd have more updates on the project in the coming weeks, though he didn't elaborate on that. He did mention that he and Yost would be at San Diego Comic-Con for a panel.

WARNING: The following text is just my excited speculation, so take it with a grain of salt, but... wouldn't SDCC be a great place to announce something like a cast member or two? Maybe it's too soon to hope for that, but I'm going to hope for it anyway. In truth, any updates about what Yost has planned for the show will be welcome and exciting!

SDCC kicks off on July 23rd this year. In the meantime, let's continue to hope that things work out for the adaptation! I'll continue to share updates as we see them.

The Dungeon Crawler Carl TV Show Has A Streaming Platform (April 2026)

At this point DCC TV series is still considered "in development," meaning it's in the early stages of being adapted. Not to be a downer, but plans could fall through -- it happens. What we want to see from this project is steps forward, and as of April, The Dungeon Crawler Carl TV show is still in the works. In fact, according to an April 2026 report from Variety, the series adaptation is now in development for Peacock. In February, Matt Dinniman mentioned that a streaming platform was involved, though he couldn't say which one at the time.

Variety notes that Chris Yost is set to write and executive produce -- we knew that already, but it's good to know that hasn't changed -- and Seth MacFarlane is executive producing through Fuzzy Door. That's about it for updated information, but a streaming platform is a great step forward! If I were the drinking type and not in the middle of a workday, I'd mix myself a Dirty Shirley to celebrate.

Matt Dinniman Updates Fans That Scripts For The DCC Show Have Been Written (February 2026)

Speaking to Variety while promoting his recent book release, Operation Bounce House – not a DCC book, but if you’re a Matt Dinniman fan, definitely check it out – Dinniman shared an update on the status of the Dungeon Crawler Carl TV adaptation. Some of the key takeaways from what he said were:

• Chris Yost has written a few episodes already.
• There is a streaming service involved but Dinniman doesn’t mention what it is.
• He says they’re getting close to the point where a decision has to be made on whether or not the show will move forward.
• CGI testing and other things need to be done.

That last point brings us to the topic of whether this planned show will be live-action or animated. From what Dinniman told Variety, it sounds like they're aware that fans are mixed on which format they'd prefer to see the story be adapted, but doing it as live-action could be for the best, if they can get it right:

While it sounds like live-action is the intention, we’ll have to wait and see if that actually works out. As Variety pointed out, this adaptation has not been ordered to series yet, so it’s too soon to know with any kind of certainty if we’ll get to see this sci-fi series streaming someday.

A Dungeon Crawler Carl TV Show Is In The Works, With Chris Yost Set To Adapt (August 2024)

In August 2024, Deadline announced that Universal International Studios picked up the rights to adapt Dungeon Crawler Carl for a TV Show with Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door. The report didn’t go into specifics about what was planned, but did include confirmation that Christopher Yost would be penning the adaptation. Yost’s big screen credits include Thor: The Dark World and Thor: Ragnarok. His TV credits include The Mandalorian, Netflix’s live-action Cowboy Bebop series, and Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

What Dungeon Crawler Carl Is About

The story begins with a guy (Carl) narrowly surviving an alien attack and finding himself, along with his girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, forced underground with what’s left of the human race to compete in a to-the-death multi-leveled competition. That he’s in his boxer shorts during this ordeal seems relevant to mention, as does the fact that Princess Donut soon gains the ability to speak, which brings her into the story as a full-fledged character – a cat-character, to be sure, but a character nonetheless. Together, they face various challenges and scary beings from across the universe, and they’re doing their best to try not to die.

The rules and structure of the game that Carl and Donut are forced to participate in involve a lot of sci-fi and fantasy components you might find in a role-playing game – hence the LitRPG genre label for the series. There are ways Carl and Princess Donut can gain abilities, allies and powers (like Donut’s ability to speak), and other achievements and prizes to be earned as they face a myriad of foes and fantastical challenges. Also, it’s all being broadcast across the universe like a TV show, so there’s a production element to everything, which adds a layer of total WTF-ery to the whole ordeal in a really fun way.

Do You Need To Be A Video Game Fan To Enjoy This Series?

In recent years, the types of video games I typically play are things like The Sims and Mario Kart. I also have a mild-moderate obsession with Balatro on my phone, and I do a bit of VR fishing while listening to a book from time to time (it’s my happy place). Maybe that’s a fair amount of casual gaming, but I don’t consider myself to be big into RPGs (unless you count The Sims, though the nature of that game doesn’t feel super relevant to DCC); however, I’m completely into this series.

It’s just a lot of fun, thanks in large part to Carl and Princess Donut’s hilarious dynamic and the ever-shifting subterranean world they’re navigating. In short, while I’m sure that a love of or even general familiarity with RPGs would enhance your appreciation of the series, I really don’t think it’s a requirement to enjoy it. At least, it hasn’t been for me. If the description of the plot sounds fun to you, give it a try.

Should You Listen To The DCC Audiobooks?

I can’t speak to the experience of reading the physical DCC books because I’ve been listening to the audiobooks, and they’re so great that I fully intend to continue that approach. Jeff Hays’ narration is top-tier for this story, as he really brings Carl and Donut to life, so if you’re an audiobook reader, that’s my personal recommendation. But the series is also available for Kindle and in paperback and hardcover.

The Dungeon Crawler Carl Books In Order

Big Brother's 1000th episode is quickly approaching and, for weeks, I've been terrified about what's on the horizon. Julie Chen Moonves and the show have suggested that a big twist is on the way, and I have a couple of theories about what it can be. While I love a few of those assumptions, there's one I absolutely hate.

Right now, it's known that the anniversary episode, set for the 2026 TV schedule on August 27th, will include tributes to the show, some of the past iconic players, and of course, a live eviction, but what else is on tap? Here's what I'm thinking, and if the third option ends up being the twist, I'm going to absolutely riot.

There Will Be A "Newbies Only" HOH Competition

Remember when Big Brother announced at the start of the season that the Week 1 HOH would be "Icons Only" and it gave them a huge leg-up in the game? I think it's only fitting, then, that after Dee Valladares' second HOH, this upcoming competition should be "Newbies Only," and the Icons are all ineligible to compete.

This method would be a great way to even the playing field and give the Icons a chance to show how great they are, without their gifted powers as a safety net. Some will say it wouldn't be fair but, hey, it wasn't when it happened in Week 1 either.

CBS Will Announce A New Big Brother House Is Being Built

Ahead of this season, it was announced that Netflix had plans to purchase Radford Studios, which is where the Big Brother house is located. That deal ended up going through in June and, while I'm sure CBS could arrange a deal that allows them to keep the house standing and they could pay Netflix for the rights to use it, the studio house is over twenty years old. If there are no plans to end the series, now might be the perfect time to build a new house on a new lot and showcase some concept art of what it'll look like during the 1000th episode.

A Survivor-Style Immunity Idol Will Be Hidden In The House

CBS seems to love leaning into Survivor vets playing the game, and I can't shake the feeling that another big twist tied to the reality competition series is coming. In my deepest nightmares, Jeff Probst trots out on stage and declares to the Houseguests that the game is about to get a lot more like his show.

It's then that the Big Brother Houseguests are told that an immunity idol is hidden in the house, and whoever finds it will have the opportunity to protect themselves from eviction until the end of the game. I hate that I'm even typing this because, if it comes to be, I will let out a howl of anguish from the Midwest so loud the Houseguests will hear it on the live broadcast. Yes, I don't mind seeing a Survivor player win Big Brother, but let's stop with the training wheels.

As mentioned, Big Brother's 1000th episode is on August 27th on CBS. The only thing we should expect, of course, is the unexpected. We'll see if any of these predictions pan out, though I'd sooner be wrong on all of them than have the final one happen!

Spoilers ahead for Netflix's Don't Say Good Luck!

Adam Sandler is a beloved actor and comedian, but he's also an accomplished producer. Most of the best Sandler movies were produced by his company Happy Madison Productions, including the recent released that have arrived for those with a Netflix subscription. The company's newest release is Julia Hart's coming of age musical Don't Say Good Luck, and we are not talking enough about how emotionally devastating that title is.

Don't Say Good Luck's Rotten Tomatoes score is incredible, with both audiences and critics impressed by its emotionally moving tale. While it remains to be seen if it joins the ranks of musicals that have won Best Picture, it's one of my favorite movies of the year and is by far the one that made me the most emotional. Yes, even more so than The Sheep Detectives.

Don't Say Good Luck Left Me Sobbing

Don't Say Good Luck focuses on young actress Sophie (played by Sandler's daughter Sunny), who was recently cast as the lead in her High School production of the musical Waitress. As a theater kid myself, this premise was enough to interest me, and I watched the new Netflix movie during its opening weekend on the streaming service.

While Sophie is preparing for her big audition, the real heart of the movie's story is revealed. Namely that her mother Elizabeth, played by the always incredible Melanie Lynskey) is dying of cancer. The rest of the movie shows Sandler trying to rehearse and lead her cast, while also struggling with her mother's health declining. And just like that, art and life intersect as Sophie plays an expecting mother herself.

While I'm generally someone who is emotionally available when watching movies, the level at which Don't Say Good Luck moved me was something else. The two storylines intersected in beautiful ways, cumulating in the opening of night of Waitress happening during Elizabeth's final days. It's a master class in pacing and writing, and also showed what an incredible actress Sunny Sandler has become.

The movie's ending offers a huge amount of catharsis and payoff, which is likely why I was left weeping as the credits rolled. The emotionality hits new heights at Sandler belts out Waitress' 11 o'clock number "She Used To Be Mine," with the lyrics taking new meaning as Sophie prepares for a life without her mother.

Overall I think that Don't Say Good Luck is a perfectly crafted movie, and that the full cast crushed their heartbreaking performances. The movie is sure to affect anyone in grief, especially if they've lost someone to cancer. And it shows naysayers why musical theater has been a powerful force in American entertainment for so long.

Don't Say Good Luck is streaming now on Netflix as part of the 2026 movie release list. And while Sunny Sandler had notable roles in Happy Gilmore 2 and You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah, I'm even more excited to her continued collaboration with her famous father after seeing her stellar performance in the movie musical.

Warning! The following contains spoilers for the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode "Level-Five Transporter Accident." Stream the episode with a Paramount+ subscription, and read at your own risk!

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' puppet episode is finally here following lots of teases. It was probably a given that the fandom would have strong thoughts and, so far, the collective response is divided. Some hate it, and others love it, to put it simply. However, the common thread I've noticed is that those who love it also seem to mention Jim Henson and the Muppets.

For those unaware, the puppets created for "Level-Five Transporter Accident" were made by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. In the episode, the crew is transformed due to an accident with the transporter and is tasked with defending the Enterprise from invading Orions. It all ultimately ends up being a weird dream Spock is having, and those who did enjoy the episode had some passionate thoughts:

• Crazy once in awhile. We are lifelong trekkies. - LindaHowiler
• Level six is where they turn into "Pigs in Space". 😂 - fifimetz
• Jim Henson’s Shop is pure magic. Loved the design of the puppet crew - mzofchak
• So inventive and fun, what a joy to see a jim henson creature shop star trek crossover!! i had a blast watching this episode - sorayanaviadesign
• 😂 Amazing episode! Missed opportunity for Miss Piggy on the Enterprise though 😭 - phxnerd92
• I'm ok with a fully muppet ST from now on - no_one.man

Many loved the episode, and I would argue that with Seth Rogen's Muppet Show special airing earlier in the 2026 TV schedule, now was the perfect time to chase it with this. Plus, there is some pre-existing connective tissue between Muppets and Trek, as fans pointed out with the popular parody "Pigs In Space."

Of course, there were also fans who despised the episode, with the consensus that it was too silly for Star Trek. Whether it was Spock's dream or not was of no importance; they didn't like it:

• Come closer to my punches. - TheReverendPuck
• Gene Roddenbery would be disgusted - KevinVerhees1
• I've been a Star Trek fan for 55 years. This episode was the worst I've ever seen in all the different versions of Star Trek. I turned that crap off after 10 minutes. - klaus_47053
• Rumors continue that Season 5 will just be the Enterprise crew living in the Brady Bunch house with ALF. Special appearances by LEGO Batman and Patton Oswald. - saganbaby
• I don't even care enough to watch anymore. And yes I need to write about it - mortaupt

I can understand the frustration of some Star Trek fans. Strange New Worlds' stories have embraced "strange," but are generally lacking as of late in the type of space adventures that made the series so popular. This season, in particular, seems to embrace the theme of each episode feeling like a parody of some other popular franchise, and storylines and arcs of characters have fallen by the wayside.

Personally, I enjoyed the episode but, with the final season approaching, I do have concerns. Co-showrunners Henry Alonso Myers and Akiva Goldsman have made it clear they intend to set the stage for Kirk's first day on the Enterprise in the finale, which means writing out a good deal of characters before that happens.

Puppet episodes are fun but are probably more ideal for series that don't have strict limits of ten-episode seasons. Star Trek fans are hungry for traditional franchise adventures, especially now that Strange New Worlds is one of the only remaining live-action shows in the franchise. Could this episode have done better had it aired a few years ago? I imagine that would be the case, unless there's just a huge chunk of fans who don't care for Jim Henson's Muppets.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 continues on Paramount+ with new episodes on Thursdays. Puppets aside, there are some great episodes for those not into that, and one of them stands as star Babs Olusanmokun's favorite to film.

CinemaBlend was lucky enough to ask Babs Olusanmokun about his favorite episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and if you've been keeping up with the sci-fi series available with a Paramount+ subscription, you won't be surprised by one of his choices. His first pick, I would wager, is many fans' favorite by a long shot, but his second was certainly a surprise.

With Strange New Worlds currently in the midst of Season 4's run on the 2026 TV schedule, I wanted to know which episodes the M'Benga actor considers to be his favorites, now that the series has completed filming. As mentioned, I wasn't shocked by his first choice, especially since many would regard it as M'Benga's best episode of the series:

"Under The Cloak Of War" was one of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' darkest stories, as M'Benga struggled to reconcile with the fact that the Klingon ambassador aboard their ship was a rehabilitated war criminal from the days he fought in the Federation-Klingon war. The episode ended with a fight between the two that ended in the ambassador's death, and it was left up in the air whether M'Benga killed him in self-defense or in cold blood.

Babs Olusanmokun's second choice was the Season 4 episode "A Case of Chiaroscuro." The actor clarified that it wasn't so much watching the episode, but the process of making it:

The Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode paid homage to the noir genre, as Una, M'Benga, and Celia found themselves on a planet in which the people were trying to free themselves from Klingon occupation. The episode even makes a Casablanca reference, though it has little in common with the heartbreaking movie aside from the fact that they're both filmed in black and white.

I can totally see why Babs Olusanmokun would love "A Case of Chiaroscuro," from an acting perspective, especially since most of his scenes take place either in the Med Bay or elsewhere on the Enterprise. In that regard, it's cool that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has allowed its actors a lot of different scenarios to play with throughout its run, rather than falling into a rut with the same space adventures week in and week out.

Of course, there are some fans who are questioning if we need so much variety in Star Trek, especially when the noir episode was followed by an episode where everyone turned into puppets. Whatever fans may feel is null and void at this point, seeing as Strange New Worlds is wrapped and already has its final episodes in the can. I do wonder, however, if this growing trend of the show embracing the "strange" and less of the "worlds" part of its title will have a lasting impact on its legacy when it comes to the fandom.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds continues with new episodes on Paramount+ on Thursdays. Stream new episodes as the celebration of the franchise's 60th anniversary continues, and we keep our fingers crossed for more updates on what's coming up in the future.

Spoilers below for anyone who hasn't yet caught up on Stuart Fails to Save the Universe through Episode 5 via HBO Max subscription.

By and large, I'm aligned with audiences who prefer Stuart Fails to Save the Universe to The Big Bang Theory, largely because of its bonkers storyline and notable uptick in NSFW jokes. I'm digging the cameos, I'm digging the different dimensions the characters get dropped into, and I'm digging the way Bert seems to keep getting dealt a winning hand in these other-worlds. However, one major character arc hasn't been sitting right with me, and I really hope there's a sensible and believable explanation for it.

I Don't Like That Stuart Has Been With Several Versions Of Denise So Far

I take no issue with the general idea of a lovelorn Stuart struggling to reconnect with his prime-world love, and I think it's a fun concept for a setting-swapping series like this. But I feel like I must have missed a scene at some point where Stuart directly explains why he's perfectly fine latching onto any version of Denise that he comes across, and why that doesn't bother him at all. Did such a scene actually take place? I didn't think so.

As such, I don't quite understand what's happening in Stuart's head, and why he thinks it makes emotional and logical sense to bond with every Denise regardless of what kind of life they were living before he, Bert and Kripke burst into that particular universe. I guess he's working from the perspective of "any port in a storm," but that's kinda gross, even without sex involved.

Had Lauren Lapkus' Denise from Episode 1 bounced out of that universe with the other three and stuck with them, I probably wouldn't have as much of a problem, since it would present a semblance of stasis. But that one stayed behind, leading Stuart to then divulge his transdimensional travels to the boozing Denise from the AI universe. I'm mostly assuming she's the same Denise that leaves the shattered island paradise with the guys at the end of Ep. 5, but I'm not necessarily convinced that she'll be the one that sticks around until the end. Which is more than a little ew in certain respects.

I Hope Denise 3.0 Addresses This Awkward Situation Soon

The themes in the spotlight during Episode 5 seemed to help put my concerns at the forefront of the mind, given the concepts of sharing, possession, monogamy, and (to a lesser extent) consent. Everyone in this remote area is so used to communal sharing that Bert and Kripke cause immediate chaos with their "individual-first" behavior and teachings. And it stands to reason that Stuart's group is having a net-negative impact in every universe they travel to, and I think all the various Denises are part of that.

To be sure, I don't feel like Lapkus' performance makes Denise come across as victimized or troubled, or else it would be a far more awkward show to watch. But I do hope that the character (or any character, really) takes a minute to sit Stuart down and question what his long-term intentions are with Denise 3.0, and what will happen if they make it back to the OG universe where OG Denise is.

I'm desperately wondering that myself at this point. Is the idea that, if and when Stuart actually sets everything straight with Leonard and Sheldon's device, everyone will return to their rightful universes without any overarching issues to worry about? Or like, is there a situation where both OG Denise and Denise 3.0 could co-exist in the Big Bang Theory-verse? Are we dealing with Timecop rules here where one of them explodes if they touch?

Only half of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe's first season is left, so the clock is ticking in regards to Denise's story getting sorted out comfortably. Find new episodes hitting HBO Max every Thursday night at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Warning! The following contains spoilers from the Big Brother live feeds as of Sunday, August 23rd. Stream the feeds with a Paramount+ subscription, and read at your own risk!

Dee Valladares' second Head of Household week is all over the place, with chaos both caused by the Icons' decisions and by some unexpected happenings. Unfortunately, now that the dust has settled, Houseguests have resorted to bullying tactics toward the house's current target, and it's rubbing a lot of fans the wrong way.

Dee ended up putting Lala Verrett, Taylor Brown, and, surprisingly, Drew Campbell up on the block. Despite putting up an ally, he's not the target of a lot of unnecessary meanness this week from the Icons and others. Before we get into that, however, let's talk about how much further Dee's Week 7 HOH went off the rails.

Lala Won The Week 7 Veto

Those watching Big Brother online were shocked on Saturday when the feeds returned, and we learned Lala had won her first veto competition of the season. It was just as surprising as when she won the wall competition for her first HOH win, and now the house is scrambling once again.

Lala was certainly a popular option for eviction, especially after Dee backpedaled on taking Drew out following his passionate nomination speech. Now the target has shifted to Taylor, and it's gotten off to a really mean-spirited start.

The Icons Are Engaging And Encouraging Others To Bully Taylor, And Many Fans Are Fed Up

With the target firmly on Taylor, and her on the outs with the rest of the house, things got nasty really quickly. The Big Brother Houseguests began sitting up in the HOH room and talking smack about Taylor sitting in bed all day, calling her lazy and saying she's always angry. Angela then suggested they give Taylor an "awful" week, for reasons that she never explained.

Those watching Big Brother's live feeds were quickly fed up with the conversations, especially after hearing Rick Devens and Drew talk smack about her days prior. It's led to accusations of Houseguests using microaggressions, and general discomfort about how the Icons once again look like bullies. Here's what they're saying on X:

• Angela will go down being the Big Brother Karen. - @Ashman_510
• we went from rome & jason who upheld the women in the house, kamu who always protected lala/taylor… hell even always checking up on haley while on her period getting her water/chocolate/medicine to now those rats and devens who bully and make racist jokes we’re in HELL🤮 #bb28 - @forcalona
• Dee doesn’t seem like a very nice person to be so honest #bb28 - @alltoounwe1l
• And then people have the nerve to ask why I don’t root for the “icons" - @melbrown00
• icons truly ruined this game it’s so boringgggg just end the season #bb28 - @zingbct

Taylor spent a lot of Sunday in her bed, and finally came out to try and smooth the waters with Angela and Haley Thogmartin. Unfortunately, none of it is even related to the game, but more their personal feelings toward each other. It puts her at a disadvantage as another eviction nears, as she's forced to mend the fence with others on a personal level rather than campaign to stay another week.

Whether Taylor leaves this week is still up in the air. While Dee decided to back off her plan to evict Drew, she's now considering nominating Mallory Aurichio in an effort to weaken the F.A.P alliance. I'm sure if that happens Mal and Melody Morris will wish they had betrayed the icons when they had the chance.

The good news for Taylor is it'll keep her safe another week if the target flips, and give her another chance to take a shot at the Icons, presumably after they lose F.A.P. due to Dee lying about the true target. The rest of this week could go many directions, though whoever survives it in the end is assured to be one step closer to winning Big Brother's prize money.

Catch Big Brother on CBS on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. ET. I'm eager to see how the rest of this week plays out, especially with the 1,000th episode on Thursday, and another twist on the way.

VisionQuest is the next Marvel Cinematic Universe TV show that’s set to hit the small screen, and the excitement around the show is really starting to rise. That’s especially true in following the release of the show’s trippy first trailer, which features quirky characters and awesome visuals. It turns out that a major part of the formal pitch for the show involved a major MCU scene (and it’s one I love). With that, I also have a question regarding one aspect of this 2026 TV schedule entry.

Which MCU Scene Served As A Jumping-Off Point For VisionQuest?

The Paul Bettany-led Marvel show is being headed up by veteran producer Terry Matalas, a science-fiction lover with a body of work that includes Star Trek, MacGyver and more. Last weekend, Matalas was on hand for Disney’s D23 in Anaheim, where he sat down with Fandango (as seen on YouTube) to talk about his MCU series. During the chat, the EP was specifically asked about bringing back James Spader’s Ultron and what led to his inclusion. Matalas explained that inspiration came from a major Age of Ultron moment:

I can still remember sitting in a movie theater back in 2015 and witnessing that existential exchange between Vision and Ultron. What’s particularly surreal about it is that the unconventional father and son manage to find some common ground even after Ultron’s attempt to wipe out life on Earth. The exchange ends with the maniacal machine trying to kill Vision before the android uses the Mind Stone to wipe out (what was believed to be) the final copy of his “dad.” Matalas further emphasized the importance of the scene to his show:

In VisionQuest, a copy of (the deliciously portrayed) Ultron, who partially created the original vision, exists within White Vision’s digital subconscious somehow, and the two are constantly at odds with each other. That dynamic is teased in the trailer, and it makes me deliriously excited for what’s to come. Nevertheless, this avid Disney+ subscription holder is wondering one thing.

There’s One VisionQuest Question I Need Answered

When talking about this new MCU show, Matalas has put a considerable amount of emphasis on the relationship between Vision and Ultron. It seems evident that the two will go back and forth, as Bettany’s character attempts to decide on who or what he wants to be. What I’d really like to know right now is how exactly the book might finally be closed on this technologically dysfunctional relationship between father and son.

It’s clear that Bettany’s character has no problem with humanity, while Spader’s has his issues with it. Barring any major surprises, I can’t see Vision yielding to Ultron’s point of view, though could the latter see the error of his ways? I just really need to know whether this show will end with Ultron and Vision finding common ground and reconciling or with the two of them sticking to their guns and remaining in some form of conflict. Check out a little bit of their dynamic by checking out the trailer below:

What’s evident, though, is that Terry Matalas is a strong storyteller with a great appreciation for the MCU. So I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt when it comes to bringing this latest show to a strong conclusion as far as Vision and his papa goes. And, of course, I’ll also be keeping an eye on how the appearance of Vision’s seemingly reincarnated son, Tommy (played by Ruaridh Mollica), factors into the proceedings.

VisionQuest premieres on Disney+ on October 14, and fans will be excited to know that it’ll close out the trilogy that also includes WandaVision and Agatha All Along. MCU lovers can prepare for the latest show by streaming the previously released series now.

It’s been 18 years since Travis Barker and Adam Goldstein walked away as the only survivors of a small plane crash in South Carolina, with the DJ, known as DJ AM, dying less than a year later from a drug overdose. The Blink 182 drummer has been speaking about the tragedy again lately, with a new documentary Travis Barker: Louder Than Fear hitting the 2026 movie calendar, and it’s simply heartbreaking to hear the pain he feels over losing his friend.

On September 19, 2008, Travis Barker, DJ AM and two friends — Barker’s assistant Lil Chris Baker and his security guard Charles “Che” Still — were on their way home from a show when their plane crashed on takeoff, killing Lil Chris, Che and both pilots. More than half of Barker’s body was burned, and he underwent dozens of surgeries in a long and painful recovery. It’s gutting to hear Barker recall how he and Adam Goldstein struggled, as he said on Anderson Cooper’s All There Is podcast:

Less than a year later — on August 28, 2009 — Adam Goldstein died of a drug overdose, taking away the only person who could relate to what Travis Barker had been through. The drummer said:

Travis Barker broke down in tears as he recalled finding out about yet another of his friends passing away. I can’t imagine the pain of losing so many people, especially the one person who understood Barker’s trauma. He continued:

On the Louder Than Fear documentary, which is available to stream with a Hulu subscription, Travis Barker said it was “beyond difficult” to relate to anyone after he lost DJ AM. He said he poured all of his energy into being with his kids, Landon and Alabama Barker and Atiana De La Hoya.

While the Blink 182 rocker has since been able to get back on a plane, thanks to his wife Kourtney Kardashian, he and his children still struggle with a fear of flying. Travis Barker’s recovery, physically and emotionally, from the 2008 plane crash and DJ AM’s passing a year later are astounding, but this interview is a gut-wrenching reminder that those events will always live within him.

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exited the Royal family and moved to the US, I remember Harry saying he’d wanted to move so that it would be more “liberating” for his family. He and his wife have had a tenuous relationship with the press, and he’s returned a few times as part of a fight against the outlet The Daily Mail in a court case he and others ultimately lost. Despite this setback, rumor has it the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are moving back home, and reports are coming down the pipeline it may be related to their business ventures.

They’ve Allegedly Had A Lot Of Money Going Out In Recent Years

A new report is allegedly shedding some light on the financials of the former Royals. An insider told Page Six that cash flow may be a main reason for the family to return to the UK.

That insider also specifically cited some big expenses in California, noting the couple has taken out two mortgages on their $14.5 million home in Montecito. They reportedly pay around $3 million a year just for security, a hot button topic that has come up quite a lot for the couple as the Royal family has not provided security when they return to the UK.

They have a vacation home in Portugal. A household staff, though the outlet also reports that number has dwindled from more than a dozen to around four. Meghan reportedly drives a Land Rover that retails for $140,000, amidst owning other vehicles.

Beyond the simple cost of living in Montecito, Harry and Meghan’s ventures have largely not done so well. Their relationship with Netflix has reportedly soured in recent months, and the streaming service even pulled out of her jam brand As Ever. Her show, With Love, Meghan was canceled after viewership dwindled in Season 2. Their attempt at a big screen venture, Cookie Queens, also landed in the headlines after flopping at the box office this month.

Then, just to touch again on the situation with the lawsuit filed against the Daily Mail, Prince Harry and other high-profile names (including Elton John), lost a lawsuit against the news outlet. Just this week, news broke they’ll have to pay around £9.5 million (or around $13 million USD) in reparations to cover The Daily Mail’s legal costs after losing in court. This is only the first payment, and not the full total that will ultimately be required to be paid, as well (via CNN). Though the initial amount is certainly a hefty sum on its own.

No, Harry And Meghan Are Reportedly Not “Running Out Of Money”

We don’t know the couple’s reasons for slashing staff etc, but with a move across the pond potentially looming, there could be more than one reason they are looking to make changes. In fact, other insiders stressed the situation is absolutely not in dire straits in any way, shape or form. Insiders stressed firmly that “they are not out of money,” also saying Prince Harry had inherited plenty not withstanding the revenue they’ve had coming in.

That insider stressed that despite Netflix pulling out, As Ever is allegedly doing well (though some reports claim otherwise), and of course, the couple made a reported $100 million from their initial deals, which include things like the Netflix contract the streamer reportedly got the raw end of the deal on and Prince Harry’s book deal. (Spare was a viral hit when it came out in 2023.)

I think it’s probably safe to guess Meghan and Harry’s foray to the US six years ago hasn’t played out exactly how they hoped. If their business ventures had worked out differently, I can imagine an alternate timeline somewhere out in the universe where The Duchess of Sussex made a name for herself in a way similar to what Gwyneth Paltrow or Martha Stewart (though she has some thoughts on that) did. What their next chapter will be is yet anyone’s guess.

It’s almost impossible to imagine Pretty in Pink with anyone but Molly Ringwald playing Andie. That was almost the case, though, as Ringwald wasn’t the studio’s first choice for the role. As a result, the Brat Packer wasn’t sure she wanted to do the movie, either. Luckily, the film’s director, Howard Deutch, knew how much the screenwriter, John Hughes, liked working with Ringwald, and appealed to him to get her in the role in the movie.

With Pretty in Pink, which is available to stream with a Peacock subscription, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year (man, I feel old), the film’s director, Howard Deutch, spoke to People about the casting in the movie. He explained that despite the role being written for Ringwald (something Hughes did a lot of in that era), the studio was looking elsewhere. Here’s what Deutch says about it:

Jennifer Beals actually passed on the project, so Hughes, who had already worked with Ringwald on Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club, and Deutch, who later directed Some Kind of Wonderful as well, made a final pitch to Ringwald, explaining:

Hopefully that includes the iconic pink prom dress at the end of the movie.

According to the various reports over the years, there were a bunch of up-and-coming actors who Paramount was considering for Andie, including Jodie Foster, Sarah Jessica Parker, Tatum O'Neal, and Lori Laughlin. While I’m sure any one of those choices would have been great, I really don’t think the movie is nearly as good without Ringwald. She was Hughes’ muse at the time, and anyone who has seen the movie knows she is perfect in the role.

Careers Took Off

Pretty in Pink was a launching pad for quite a few actors early in their careers. Jon Cryer, Andrew McCarthy, and James Spader all scored big roles in the movie, and it helped launch them into stardom. There were also smaller roles for Andrew Dice Clay (who plays a character called “The Diceman”), Kristy Swanson, Gina Gershon, Maggie Roswell, and even a cameo from musician Dweezil Zappa.

They were joined in the cast by the more established actors Annie Potts and Harry Dean Stanton, bringing together what I think is close to perfection in all the roles. I really can’t imagine anyone other than Spader playing the preppy jerk, or Cryer playing the lovelorn best friend. Even if I think Cryer’s character Duckie should have gotten the girl in the end, the movie is one of the best examples of an ‘80s rom-com and too often flies under the radar among Hughes’ best films.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce may have only had a few weeks between their intimate Madison Square Garden wedding and the tight end’s return to the Kansas City Chiefs. But that apparently hasn’t stopped the newlyweds from enjoying their first weeks as Mr. and Mrs. Kelce. It sounds like the Lover artist is “fever dream high in the quiet of the night,” but according to alleged friends of the couple, this is certainly no “Cruel Summer.”

The newly married couple laid low in the weeks that followed their 1,000-person wedding ceremony, sneaking in a mini-honeymoon before Taylor Swift debuted her wedding ring at the nuptials of one of Travis Kelce’s NFL buddies. While their lives together are sure to include many extravagant vacations around the world, a source for the Daily Mail says right now they’re just excited to be husband and wife. According to the insider:

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift endured plenty of long distances in the early months of their relationship as she traveled the world for the Eras Tour, but now the couple has no intention of being apart. Swift plans to be wherever her husband is, which right now is in Missouri, as NFL preseason games kick off.

In addition to being Killa Trav’s biggest cheerleader, friends say Taylor Swift has reportedly been enjoying “la dolce vita” from their home in Kansas City. They continued:

She’s also allegedly been getting in plenty of puppy snuggle time with their fluffy Samoyed as well as her trio of felines — Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson and Benjamin Button — who are reportedly experiencing the same domestic bliss as their human parents. The source reported:

All that Italian food and white wine, however, doesn’t mean they’re not still focused on their fitness. The insider said Travis Kelce and his wife have allegedly made exercise part of their daily routine together:

We know where Travis Kelce will be, career-wise, for the rest of the calendar year, and while Taylor Swift will allegedly remain by his side, her career future is a little more up in the air. Obviously, marriage doesn’t mean she’ll stop making music — I’d imagine she’s as inspired as ever — and Swifties think she may already be dropping hints about TS13.

There’s also the thought that Taylor Swift might be set to release the “Taylor’s Version” of her debut album (thanks to some trolling from the Empire State Building) as the 20th anniversary of its release approaches.

We’ll have to wait to see what’s to come on the music front. However, I love the thought of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce enjoying Italian food, their fur-babies and all of the simple joys of married life.

Having gotten caught up on all eight Dungeon Crawler Carl books, while we wait for Book 9 and for news about the Dungeon Crawler Carl TV show, I've turned my attention toward the fandom and the lore surrounding Matt Dinniman's mega-popular self-published books. As it happens, one of the recent tidbits I learned concerns both.

Those who've been on board with the Dungeon Crawler Carl books from the start -- particularly those who are subscribed to Matt Dinniman's Patreon -- will likely already know this one, especially if they were around years ago, when he launched the poll that included a certain book, which would prove to be extremely relevant to the series.

Dungeon Crawler Carl spoiler alert! 🟠 If you're not caught up on the series, there may be plot and character references you won't want to know about yet!

My mind was blown to learn that the Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook -- the item Carl selects as a prize in Book 3 -- was added to the series as the result of a Patreon poll. Matt Dinniman mentioned this fact recently during the Matt Dinniman Spotlight panel at SDCC in July, saying:

Cuba is a big part of the setting for Book 6 (The Eye of the Bedlam Bride). Books 9 and 10 are on the way, so how Mordecai's form impacts the story remains to be known. And then there's the Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook, which is not just a key item in Carl's inventory, but the whole title of the third book in the DCC series!

The Introduction Of The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook

The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook is an item Carl selects from a prize carousel. He has a variety of promising-looking options to select from, but something about the book catches his eye. After he selects it, it seems like a dud of a prize on the surface, as it appears to be nothing more than a Chicken and Goblin recipe book. Upon later inspection, he discovers that it's a book that's been passed on from crawler to crawler over the years, and is filled with helpful advice, thoughts and tips to survive, as well as the ultimate mission to take the system down.

The Cookbook is referenced throughout the series, so it's not like this is a weapon or tool that plays is part and later blurs into the history of the series with so many other collected items. It's a big deal and relevant through the most recent book in the series.

Matt Dinniman's Patreon Poll

Obviously, after hearing what Matt Dinniman said about fans being responsible for voting that item into the story, I had to know more. Members of Matt Dinniman's Patreon can access content going back years, including the polls. Sure enough, there's a poll from June 29, 2020, which invites fans to pick what Carl wins in a fan box he's going to receive.

The poll contains various items, including the Cookbook; however, that wasn't the actual winner. The winning choice of the poll was the very last item on the list: "A pop-up reward room where he's given all of the above choices, and he has to pick one himself." The second highest vote-getter in the poll was the Cookbook, listed as "A single book. 'The (Dungeon) Anarchist's Cookbook." So it seems Matt Dinniman really held true to the results. Carl wins the prize carousel, and he ends up selecting the Cookbook from the various options he's presented with.

Matt Dinniman Does Have A Rule About The Patreon Votes

It's wild to me that such a vital item came into the story due to a fan vote. Would he have introduced the Cookbook in another way, had things not worked out how they did? Who can say, but it's impossible to imagine the series without it. Regardless, I love the lore here. Matt Dinniman went on to explain the rule he adheres to for the polls:

As a fan, it's comforting to know he's not rolling the dice on the fate of his core characters. He went on to explain why it's fun for him to give the fans a bit of control over the story, stating:

Learning the backstory to some of the decisions Matt Dinniman has made while writing the series is almost as fun for me as actually reading the books. As relieved as I am that he ended up not separating Donut and Carl as he once considered, I'm equally relieved that those early DCC fans had the foresight to set the wheel in motion that would ultimately bring the Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook into the story.

The 2026 TV schedule introduced us to Off Campus, and since then, the actors who bring Briar U to life have skyrocketed to a new level of fame. Belmont Cameli, Ella Bright, Stephen Kalyn, Mika Abdalla, Jalen Thomas Brooks and Antonio Cipriano have become heartthrobs online, and people love seeing these colleagues and friends interact both in the show you can stream with an Amazon Prime subscription and in real life. Now, someone has compared this group’s dynamic to the cast of Friends, and some valid points were made.

This comparison came up when a source made claims about just how tight the Off Campus cast is to Deux Moi. They said that they are genuine friends, they’re all going through this crazy situation together, and allegedly their dynamic is very healthy. Here’s what the source had to say:

This all comes amid fan speculation that there’s drama among the cast. In an episode of the Deux/U podcast, Deux spoke about this, and she made it abundantly clear that she does not believe there’s any drama at all among these actors. That’s where the direct Friends comparison came in, as she explained:

To this day, the cast of Friends is beloved for their friendship both on screen and off. They’re also still incredibly tight; as Jennifer Aniston once said, they’re “family forever.” I mean, Aniston, Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow talk about each other and post about being together fairly regularly. While the Off Campus cast has only been working together for about a year, they also speak very highly of one another and the genuine friendship they all share.

Take one look at the comments section on Ella Bright’s Instagram post about performing with Suki Waterhouse (which her castmates went and saw), and you’ll see exactly what I mean. Almost all of them were posting about how much they loved her and that performance. And that’s just the most recent example of them going out of their way to support one another. If you watch an interview or look at their social media, it becomes clear quickly that this group is tight and dealing with this whirlwind together.

On top of the genuine friendship, these casts have also experienced extreme rises to stardom. Friends is one of the best sitcoms, and it sent its six actors to a level of fame that’s overwhelming. A similar thing is happening to the cast of Off Campus. This show made them household names and served as a major breakout moment in their careers. I also think these projects are worth comparing, because these shows didn’t just propel one actor into the spotlight, it put a light on an entire ensemble.

Obviously, the two shows are quite different. Friends is simply a sitcom about six friends (and there's some romance). Off Campus is a romance series that puts a couple at the center of each season. However, at the heart of Prime Video’s book-to-screen adaptation is the friendship between Garrett, Logan, Tucker and Dean, as well as Allie and Hannah. Yes, romance is the primary focus; however, the bond all these characters share as pals is very comparable to Friends and one of the reasons why I love it so much.

So, overall, I totally see why someone compared the cast of Off Campus to the Friends ensemble, and I hope that stays true as this hockey romance continues into Season 2 and beyond. Now, if you want to see all these friends in the projects that made them…well…friends, you can stream Off Campus on Amazon Prime and Friends with an HBO Max subscription.

I knew Taylor Sheridan was a busy guy, and I’ve always had trouble trying to figure out how exactly he’s able to work on so many shows while also being a ranch owner and cowboy in his own right. Well, now he’s explained what his days look like, and I genuinely don’t know how he’s been able to write and work on shows like Yellowstone and Landman while also doing everything else he’s committed to.

Between the 2025 and 2026 TV schedule, Taylor Sheridan served as the showrunner on 1923, Landman, The Madison and Lioness, and he was an executive producer and writer on Mayor of Kingstown and Tulsa King, while serving as an EP on Marshals and Dutton Ranch. However, that’s not all he does. He owns the Bosque and 6666 Ranches in Texas, and ranching is no small job. While speaking to Town & Country, he opened up about how all this impacts his day-to-day life, explaining:

Earlier in the story, Sheridan noted that his work in television and movies helps him pay for his horses, and those animals take up a lot of his day too. To dive into those details, he helps train horses in cutting, specifically. Cutting is a very precise practice where cowboys use a horse to separate cows from a herd, and you can actually see it on display in Yellowstone (which you can stream with a Peacock subscription).

While the Bosque Ranch is more focused on horses, the 6666 is a cattle operation. So, he’s got his hands full overseeing two major operations, and that’s not even counting the work he does for television.

Funnily enough, in the cutting arena, Sheridan has an editing bay where they can work on his TV shows. The projects that can mostly be streamed with a Paramount+ subscription take up the other half of his day, as he explained:

As I mentioned earlier, Sheridan is a writer, EP and showrunner on multiple projects. He also acts in Lioness. Many of these shows are moving into new seasons too, like Landman, The Madison, Mayor of Kingstown, Dutton Ranch, Marshals and more. So, he shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. Again, while he’s not as involved in the Yellowstone franchise as he once was, he is still the boss of Landman, Lioness and The Madison.

That is no small feat by itself. Just thinking about his shows, I can’t understand how he gets it all done. When you add in the work he does with his ranches, it becomes even harder to comprehend. But somehow he does it, and clearly he has a good system down. So, as long as he has that, he’ll keep writing and cowboying, and we can keep enjoying his work.

Even before DC fans saw the twist ending of Lanterns’ series premiere, plenty of them had thoughts on the latest DCU show ahead of its debut. Anticipation emanated from some corners of the fandom, while others were skeptical. One point of contention that remains is the fact that the show mostly takes place on Earth. While that may not have been an expected choice for a show about characters, who are essentially space cops, one of the executive producers is explaining that approach.

Many of the Green Lantern Corps’ adventures in the comics happen in space, as the heroes venture to different planets to keep the peace. So some were taken aback when the first Lanterns trailer showed off more of middle America than it did the vastness of the cosmos. Series co-creator and showrunner Chris Mundy spoke to SFX Magazine on CinemaBlend about how he and co-creators Tom King and Damon Lindelof wanted to approach the show. When asked if they hesitated on telling an Earth-bound story, Mundy said:

This makes sense, as the creative team wouldn’t want to just lean on the cosmic aspects of Lantern mythology. After all, the heroes do indeed operate on Earth as needed. What’s more, though, is that launching this story in this way can make the story feel a tad more tangible for viewers. And, once the stakes and the bonds between the characters – particularly, Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart and Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan – are established, it may be easier for audiences to remain connected when the narrative does get cosmic.

Before the Lanterns hit the 2026 TV schedule, Mundy and co. were already dealing with their fair share of backlash. Once early footage was released, a number of commentators complained about it lacking the color green. During his interview with SFX, though, Mundy reflected on the trailer backlash and stressed his team’s desire to satisfy the “rabid” fans. The savvy producer and his cohorts, however, don’t seem to be letting the general public didn’t how they tell their story, though:

All of that seems to be working out thus far, as Lanterns has received critical acclaim thus far. Not only that but, as reported by THR, the show garnered an impressive 9.3 million viewers during its first three days of availability amongst HBO Max subscription holders. Overall, chances are that this first season (and maybe even future seasons) could feature more stories set in the far reaches of space. But, for right now, I’d say the series is doing just fine with the grounded approach.

New episodes of Lanterns air on HBO and stream on HBO Max on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.

These days, Alan Ritchson is undoubtedly best known as Jack Reacher. The Prime Video series Reacher has helped propel him into stardom, and he’s become a staple action star, especially on TV. Now, as the critically acclaimed fourth season of Reacher airs on the 2026 TV schedule, I’ve been thinking about the projects from the pre-Reacher years of Ritchson’s career. That’s because, while I already know about his American Idol audition, I didn’t realize he also played a part in a Hunger Games movie until very recently.

We Talk A Lot About Alan Ritchson’s American Idol Audition

At this point, it’s well-known lore that Alan Ritchson auditioned for American Idol during Season 3 in 2004. While he didn’t make it too far, he made a good impression, and Paula Abdul called him “totally hot.” He was 20 years old at the time, and now it’s been over 20 years since it happened. However, it still cracks me up that Ritchson’s fans are discovering this and reacting in big ways.

Not long after that, he got his first on-screen gig, playing Aquaman in Smallville, and from there, the actor picked up parts here and there. He was in 39 episodes of Blue Mountain State, and he popped up in shows like CSI: Miami, Hawaii Five-0, and 90210. However, my favorite random credit from the earlier days of Alan Ritchson’s career has to be The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

Did You Know Alan Ritchson Was In The Hunger Games: Catching Fire?

About eight years into Ritchson’s on-screen acting career, he booked a part in the second Hunger Games movie. I, being a child of the 2000s, was obsessed with those books and did see the films as they came out in theaters. However, I did not clock the Reacher star until my most recent rewatch.

In Catching Fire, Ritchson plays Gloss, one half of a brother-sister pair of tributes from District 1. Since this game is made up of all victor tributes, it’s clarified that Gloss and his sister Cashmere won back-to-back games. That alone implies how lethal they are, however, Haymitch also explicitly says that when he’s making a game plan with Peeta and Katniss. And I just have to mention that if you’ve seen Reacher, you know Alan Ritchson can play lethal very well.

During training, you can see him throwing some daggers. Then, during the interviews, he’s the one to explain that they’re not going into the games by choice, while saying the Capitol is their family and they’ve been loved well by them.

Then, once we’re in the games, Ritchson gets a pretty big moment by the cornucopia when he kills Wiress. Katniss is quick to shoot him with her bow and arrow, and that’s the end of his story.

I’m dead serious, I gasped when I realized I was seeing Alan Ritchson in this film, and much like people discovering his Idol audition, I couldn’t quite believe what I was seeing. However, he did a good job, and, like Jack Quaid, he’s one of the actors who played a small role in The Hunger Games movies before he became a household name.

So, unlike Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, who became household names because of these, or Philip Seymour Hoffman and Woody Harrelson, who were established A-listers when they joined the cast, Alan Ritchson fits in a different category. He became a household name years after doing this small part in Catching Fire, and it’s so cool to look back and think about all the roles that got him to where he is today.

Now, to see Alan Ritchson in Catching Fire, you can stream the movie (and all the Hunger Games movies, for that matter) with a Netflix subscription. And to see what he’s up to these days, you can stream new episodes of Reacher every Wednesday with an Amazon Prime subscription.